What are the effects and uses of cockscomb? High medicinal value, extremely effective for gynecological diseases
Cockscomb is a flower native to tropical regions. Over time it has been introduced and cultivated by countries around the world, and today it can often be seen in our country as well. Although cockscomb is grown in many countries, very few people truly understand what its uses are
Cockscomb is a flower native to tropical regions. Over time it has been introduced and cultivated by countries around the world, and today it can often be seen in our country as well. Although cockscomb is grown in many countries, very few people truly understand what its uses are. What exactly are the effects and uses of cockscomb? Let's take a look below.
I. The effects and uses of cockscomb
Cockscomb is a highly ornamental plant, and this is one of its uses. Beyond that, it also has certain medicinal value, with therapeutic effects on many ailments. As for the specific details, let's take a look below.
1. Ornamental value
Among the effects and uses of cockscomb, ornamental value is one of the more familiar uses. The appearance of this flower differs greatly from ordinary plants, giving people a distinctive sense of beauty, so it is often grown at home for decoration.
2. Landscape value
Cockscomb also contributes greatly to landscape construction, and it can be seen in many gardens in our country. It has the laudatory title of “fowl among flowers”, and besides this it is often used in flower beds in parks and along city roads, making no small contribution to urban greening.
3. Purifying the air
Growing cockscomb at home not only beautifies the indoor environment but also freshens indoor air. It can absorb harmful substances remaining in the air, thereby improving indoor air quality. It can be said to be a natural air freshener.
4. Medicinal value
Among the effects and uses of cockscomb, medicinal value can be said to benefit people the most, especially women. It has quite good therapeutic effects on gynecological conditions such as uterine bleeding and excessive vaginal discharge, and also has effects such as reducing inflammation, improving eyesight and lowering blood pressure.
II. Medicinal formulas for cockscomb
To treat bloody stool with rectal prolapse: One. Cockscomb and Saposhnikovia divaricata in equal parts. Grind into powder, make into paste pills the size of wutong seeds. Take seventy pills each time on an empty stomach with rice water. Two. White cockscomb (stir-fried), trachycarpus charcoal, and Notopterygium incisum (one liang each). Grind into powder, take two qian each time with rice water. Source: Yonglei Qianfang
To treat hemoptysis and hematemesis: Fresh white cockscomb five to eight qian (two to five qian if dried), with pig lung (do not add water), pour boiling water over and stew for about one hour, take in two or three divided doses after meals. Source: Quanzhou Bencao
To treat forehead carbuncle: Fresh cockscomb, Emilia sonchifolia, and red Alternanthera sessilis (Amaranthaceae) in appropriate amounts each, mix with brown sugar, pound into a paste and apply to the affected area. Source: Fujian Chinese Herbal Medicine
To treat unstoppable hematemesis: White cockscomb, soaked in vinegar and boiled seven times, then ground into powder. Take two qian each time with hot wine. Source: Jingyan Fang
To treat vaginal discharge and sand strangury: White cockscomb and Lagenaria siceraria in equal parts. Burn until charred but retaining its nature, take on an empty stomach with hot wine. Source: Zhaiyuan Fang
To treat glaucoma: Dried cockscomb, dried mugwort root, and dried Vitex negundo root five qian each. Decoct in water and take. Source: Fujian Chinese Herbal Medicine
To treat rubella: White cockscomb and sunflower three qian each, rock sugar one liang. Stew in boiling water and take. Source: Mindong Bencao
To treat bloody strangury: White cockscomb one liang, burn to charcoal, take with rice soup. Source: Hunan Materia Medica
Snow Lotus Saussurea involucrata (Kar. et Kir.) Sch.-Bip. Snow Lotus Illustrated Guide: How to grow snow lotus / How to propagate snow lotus
Snow Lotus ProfileSnow Lotus Saussurea involucrata (Kar. et Kir.) Sch.-Bip.
Snow Lotus cultivation methods and precautions Introduction to snow lotus
Snow lotus mainly refers to plants of the genus Saussurea in the Asteraceae family, a perennial herbaceous plant of the Asteraceae family. Also known as **snow lotus, Tianshan snow lotus, alpine snow lotus, and in Tibetan called Qaguo Suba.
Snow lotus is commonly distributed on the north and south slopes of the ** Tianshan Mountains, the Altai Mountains and the Kunlun Mountains in China, at elevations of 4000-5000 m. Tianshan snow lotus is a precious medicinal ornamental plant, containing active ingredients such as volatile oils, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, sugars and tannins, with effects such as eliminating cold phlegm, strengthening yang and nourishing blood, warming the uterus and dispersing blood stasis, and treating irregular menstruation. In addition, Tianshan snow lotus has notable effects on treating kidney deficiency and lumbago, dispelling wind-dampness, and promoting menstruation and blood circulation.
The whole plant of snow lotus is used medicinally, harvested when it flowers from July to early August, when its medicinal potency is best. After harvesting it must be dried in the hot sun to prevent the loss of volatile oils and the destruction of active ingredients.
Snow lotus is distributed in the high-cold mountainous regions of northwestern China, and is a highly effective medicinal plant. Snow lotus is gradually becoming endangered; due to excessive harvesting, low seed germination rates, difficulty in propagation and slow growth, if effective measures are not taken and strict protection is not applied, it will be at risk of extinction. If it continues to decline at the current rate, it will become extinct within 10 years.
Morphological characteristics of snow lotus
Snow lotus is a perennial herb, 15-35 cm tall. The rhizome is thick, with numerous brown leaf remnants on the neck. The stem is stout, 2-3 cm in diameter at the base, hairless. Leaves are dense; basal leaves and stem leaves are sessile, leaf blades elliptical or ovate-elliptical, up to 14 cm long, 2-3.5 cm wide, apex obtuse or acute, base decurrent, margin with sharp teeth, both sides hairless; the uppermost leaves are bract-like, membranous, pale yellow, broadly ovate, 5.5-7 cm long, 2-7 cm wide, surrounding the capitulum, margin with sharp teeth.
Snow lotus has 10-20 capitula, densely aggregated at the stem apex into a spherical compound inflorescence, without or with short pedicels. The involucre is hemispherical, 1 cm in diameter; involucral bracts in 3-4 layers, margin or entirely purplish-brown, apex acute, outer layer sparsely long-villous, outer layer oblong, 1.1 cm long, 5 mm wide, middle and inner layers lanceolate, 1.5-1.8 cm long, 2 mm wide. Florets are purple, 1.6 cm long, tube 7 mm, limb 9 mm.
Snow lotus achenes are oblong, 3 mm long. Pappus is dirty white, in 2 layers, outer layer small, bristle-like, 3 mm long, inner layer long, feathery, 1.5 cm long. Flowering in July, fruiting in August-September.
Ecological habits of snow lotus
Snow lotus grows in the ** Tianshan and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, with the Tianshan snow lotus being the superior variety. It suits various complex climatic environments; the plant does not wither at temperatures of 1°C-39°C, grows vigorously at 15°C-25°C, and can safely overwinter at -32°C at the roots. It is said that there are as many as eighteen kinds of snow lotus. Few people in the world today can fully recognize them, but no matter which kind, they all have many of the same effects as snow lotus.
Snow lotus usually grows below the alpine snow line. The climate is changeable, with erratic cold and heat and alternating rain and snow; the highest monthly average temperature is 3-5°C, the lowest monthly average temperature is -19 to -21°C, annual precipitation is about 800 mm, and the frost-free period is only about 50 days. The soil is mainly alpine meadow soil, with organic matter content of 8.5-11% and nitrogen content of 4.5-10%. Due to the harsh environmental conditions, ordinary plants find it difficult to grow; only a few cold-tolerant, low-temperature-tolerant Carex spp., Kobresia spp. and various alpine perennial herbs grow alongside it. Under these harsh alpine conditions, snow lotus grows slowly and takes at least 4-5 years to flower and fruit. However, due to the short growing season, it can rapidly germinate, grow, flower and fruit within a relatively short time.
Snow lotus is mainly distributed in the **, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. The Tianshan Mountains running through the middle of **, with ice peaks and snow ridges stretching in unbroken succession, are permanently snow-covered above 4000 m elevation, known as the snow line; snow lotus grows on cliff faces at 3000 to 4000 m below the snow line. Due to its special growing environment, snow lotus takes three to five years to flower and fruit, and has long been a precious Chinese medicinal herb difficult to cultivate artificially.
Snow lotus cultivation techniques: seed selection
Choose plump, brown-black, large and glossy seeds as seed. Before sowing, soak in a 1:1500 solution of strong rooting powder for 1 minute, then it is ready for use.
Preparation of nutrient soil
Nutrient soil is generally prepared by mixing humus soil, fine medium sand and decomposed organic fertilizer in a ratio of 6:2:2. After disinfection, sift out impurities and hard clumps from the soil; the pH of the nutrient soil is best at 5.5-7.5.
Sowing
The soil temperature for snow lotus seed germination must be controlled between 20°C and 26°C to favor seedling emergence. The saturated soil moisture content should be about 60%. Place the seeds flat in the holes, with a covering soil thickness equal to the length of the seed or preferably 0.8 cm-1 cm; seedlings generally emerge in about 8 days.
1. Preventing upside-down seeding
Snow lotus seeds are cone-shaped. Sowing with the seed tip pointing down makes emergence easy but the seedlings are not strong; sowing with the tip pointing up makes emergence difficult. They must be sown flat.
2. Preventing seed rot
In early spring the weather is cold, soil temperature is low, and humidity is high; if there is no emergence after 10 days, it means the seeds have turned black and rotted, so when planting, soil temperature and humidity are key issues to watch.
3. Preventing seedlings from emerging with caps
Seedlings emerging with caps directly affects plant development, causing the seed coat to be carried out when the cotyledons emerge. The cause is soil that is too loose and covering soil that is too dry.
4. Preventing watering with hard water
During seedling raising, it is best to water before 10 a.m. or after 3 p.m. with snow water, rainwater, river water or lake water. If using tap water, first store it in a bucket for a full day and night so the chlorine in the water volatilizes, and water when the water temperature is close to the soil temperature.
5. When seedlings grow to 5 cm-6 cm
They can then be transplanted into flower pots and the field; it is best to choose a cloudy day or after rain, which favors seedling survival.
Field management
1. Watering
During the growth period of snow lotus, sufficient water is needed for normal growth and development, and necessary watering keeps the soil moist. Generally, water appropriately more during the seedling stage, but do not overwater to the point of waterlogging. In hot summer weather, watering in the early morning or evening is suitable; water less in autumn. When cultivating snow lotus in plastic greenhouses in winter, it is best to water with snow water or ice water, which is more favorable for its growth.
2. Weeding
Weeds grow together with snow lotus, competing for nutrients, water and sunlight, and also affecting ventilation, leading to increased pests and diseases. Therefore, weeds should be pulled out promptly, or chemical agents such as Miecaoling can be applied, so that snow lotus grows healthily.
3. Topdressing
To supplement the insufficient nutrients in the soil and promote the growth of snow lotus, during the peak summer growth period, topdressing should be applied once every 15 days according to conditions.
Snow lotus cultivation methods
Snow lotus prefers moist, sandy, fertile and loose neutral or slightly acidic soil, with a growing period of about 100 days from planting to harvest. Generally, regions and seasons that can meet this requirement can cultivate snow lotus.
In practice, the cultivation of snow lotus should pay attention to these several issues:
One.Preventing upside-down seeding
Snow lotus seeds are cone-shaped. Sowing with the seed tip pointing down makes emergence easy but the seedlings are not sturdy; sowing with the tip pointing up makes emergence difficult. So when sowing, it is best to place the seeds flat, which favors healthy seedling growth. And before sowing, dress the seeds with Xinguozhimu to repel underground pests and diseases, isolate viral infection, strengthen respiration, and improve the seed germination rate.
Two.Preventing seedlings from emerging with caps
Seedlings emerging with caps directly affects plant development, causing the seed coat to be carried out when the cotyledons emerge. The cause is potting soil that is too loose, soil that is too dry, and covering soil that is too thin. Soil moisture should be maintained. After transplanting the seedlings, spray Xinguozhimu, which can effectively prevent above-ground water from evaporating and seedling moisture from transpiring, isolate pests and diseases, shorten the recovery period, and help them quickly adapt to the new environment and grow healthily.
Three.Rational fertilization
The three elements nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium should be used rationally according to conditions. Generally speaking, in spring it is suitable to mainly apply nitrogen fertilizer to promote the growth of branches and leaves; in summer mainly apply phosphorus fertilizer to promote the expansion of stems, leaves and flower buds; in autumn, during the flower bud stage, apply more potassium fertilizer to promote bright flowers and plump seeds, and combine with spraying Xinguozhimu to enhance fertilizer efficiency. Also, during the bud stage, use Huaduozhuangdiling, which can promote strong buds, plump petals, brilliant flower color, rich fragrance, and extended flowering period.
Four.Preventing damping-off and seedling blight
Snow lotus damping-off mostly occurs during the seedling stage, and the pathogen can spread and cause seedling death. Preventive measures: 1. The potting soil must be fully sterilized; 2. Apply decomposed fertilizer; 3. The potting soil should not be too wet; 4. Immediately remove diseased plants when found, and spray fungicide, combined with spraying Xinguozhimu to enhance the control effect.
Snow lotus propagation methods
Snow lotus is propagated by seed, but when the seeds of this species mature, the high-cold mountainous areas are already in the heavy snow season, making seed collection difficult and causing difficulties in introduction and cultivation. It is suggested to study the biological characteristics of seed setting and germination in nature reserves, and to carry out experiments on introducing, cultivating and transplanting snow lotus back into its native habitat.
Seed selection
Choose plump, brown-black, large and glossy seeds; do not choose shriveled, lusterless, small yellow-white seeds.
Seed germination
For dormant snow lotus seeds, first use 50°C warm water to adjust the plant growth regulator triacontanol to a 0.1 ppm solution, soak the seeds for 8 hours, remove and air-dry briefly, then soak for half a minute in ABT No. 3 rooting agent at 1:1500, and they are ready for sowing. The purpose is to sterilize the seeds and promote rapid germination and rooting; seedlings generally emerge in about 10 days at 8°C-20°C. A high-temperature germination method can also be used: after removing the snow lotus seeds from the triacontanol solution, germinate them at a high temperature of 20°C-30°C; after the sprouts break through and 2 hours have passed, lower the temperature to about 18°C to harden the seedlings for about 12 hours, then plant them into paper tubes filled with nutrient soil.
Preparation of nutrient soil and land selection
For nutrient soil used for raising seedlings in flower pots or paper tubes, mix organic fertilizer, fine medium sand and humus soil in a ratio of 2:2:6, then use a sieve to remove impurities and hard clumps from the soil; soil with a pH of 5.5-6.5 gives good results. Choose relatively moist, warm, sunny, well-ventilated, well-drained sandy land rich in humus. Before leveling the land, apply sufficient base fertilizer, using decomposed pen manure at 1500 kg per mu, and turn it into the soil, then wait to sow.
Sowing and transplanting
Mix the nutrient soil with water until it reaches a state where it forms a ball when squeezed by hand and crumbles when the hand is released; fill paper tubes and firm them, sow the seeds, then cover with 0.5 cm of nutrient soil. Spread a thin layer of grass on top of the paper tubes and water onto the grass to keep the soil moist. When the seedlings have two leaves, remove the thin grass from the paper tubes so the seedlings get light. The optimal soil temperature for seedling growth is 8°C-22°C. When the seedlings grow to 5-6 cm, they can be transplanted into flower pots, plastic greenhouses and the field. Plant at a row and plant spacing of 15 cm x 20 cm; it is best to choose a cloudy day or rainy day, which gives a high survival rate.
Field and fertilizer-water management
During the growth period of snow lotus, weeds must be removed and the soil loosened; when the soil is dry, water promptly, watering thoroughly in one go, but do not overwater to the point of waterlogging. In hot summer weather, watering in the early morning or evening is best; in winter, cultivation in plastic greenhouses is best, watering with snow water or ice water, which is more favorable for its growth. For weak and short-growing plants, add auxin at a concentration of 1:6000 for foliar topdressing. Before flowering, apply topdressing once with superphosphate at 20 kg per mu; during the flowering period, spray a 0.2% monopotassium phosphate solution once every 8 days.
Snow lotus disease control
1. Powdery mildew
Mainly causes a white layer on flowers, leaves, branches and buds, curling leaves, deformed branches, and in severe cases the whole plant dies. Spray with 25% carbendazim 1000x solution.
2. Rust
Produces brown-yellow or black symptoms on leaves, stems and flowers. Promptly pull out affected plants or spray with 97% sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate 250-300x solution.
3. Scarab beetle pest
Bites and eats leaves and flowers. Spray with 50% fenitrothion emulsion 1000x solution.
4. Noctuid moth pest
Bites and eats leaves, flowers and tender stems. Spray with 80% dichlorvos emulsifiable concentrate.
5. Root-knot nematode disease
Larvae eat seedlings, mainly caused by using undecomposed organic fertilizer.
6. Preventing damping-off and seedling blight
During seedling raising, due to low temperatures and high humidity, snow lotus seedlings are most prone to damping-off and seedling blight during the period of about 25 days with 2-3 leaves. Preventive measures: nutrient soil must be fully sterilized before sowing; apply decomposed fertilizer; control soil moisture; remove diseased plants immediately when found, and spray the fungicide "Cudaolikujue" for control.
Snow lotus variety classification
There are many kinds of snow lotus, divided into Saussurea medusa, Saussurea laniceps, Saussurea tridactyla, Tibetan snow lotus, etc. Due to the uniqueness of its growing environment and physiological characteristics, snow lotus has very unique medicinal effects. Zhao Xuemin of the Qing Dynasty described snow lotus in the Supplement to the Compendium of Materia Medica as follows: "In the land of great cold, snow accumulates and does not disperse in spring and summer; among the snow there is a grass, like a lotus with a single stem, gracefully lovely amid the snow. Its rhizome has the wondrous effects of dispersing cold and removing dampness, strengthening the sinews and invigorating the blood."
With people's demand for the medical value of snow lotus, medicines and tonics using snow lotus as a raw material have begun to increase, and eating snow lotus has become a health trend. The growth of demand directly leads to an overflow of the supply market. Every summer, local and non-local farmers in ** cross mountains and ridges, harvesting madly, causing a sharp decline in the number of Tianshan snow lotus. The number of people illegally engaged in harvesting and selling snow lotus is large, their identities varied, and the regions involved wide, flowing in an endless stream, bringing great difficulty to cracking down on illegal harvesting activities. In addition, local management personnel only adopt low fines and confiscation as penalties for captured illegal harvesters, which fundamentally fails to have a deterrent effect.
Snow lotus is a herbaceous plant of the subgenus Saussurea in the genus Saussurea of the Asteraceae family. It grows at elevations of 4800-5800 m on high-mountain scree slopes and among gravel near the snow line. There are more than 20 species in this subgenus, the vast majority produced in China's Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and its adjacent areas.
Within Tibet there are the following 7 species:
(1) Himalayan snow lotus, produced in Yadong and Nyalam;
(2) Saussurea tridactyla, produced in Baxoi, Bomi, Gyaca, Cuona and Yadong;
(3) Saussurea laniceps, produced in Nedong and Cuona;
(4) Saussurea gnaphalodes, produced in Shenzha, Namling, Zhongba, Burang and Zanda;
(5) Saussurea cuonaensis, endemic to Cuona;
(6) Saussurea cespitosa, produced in Gyirong;
(7) Saussurea medusa, widely distributed throughout the region.
All 7 of the above species can be used medicinally as whole plants, with the functions of dispelling cold, strengthening yang, nourishing blood and warming the uterus; they mainly treat women's diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney deficiency, lumbago and other conditions, and Saussurea medusa also has a cardiotonic effect.
Identification methods
Microscopic identification
Transverse section of bract: upper epidermal cells elliptical or somewhat rectangular, neatly arranged, outer wall slightly thickened; lower epidermis outer wall also slightly thickened, and remnants of glandular and non-glandular hairs visible; mesophyll cells in 2-6 rows, cell shapes irregular; main vein clearly protruding downward, upper surface slightly concave; vascular bundles bicollateral, 3-5.
Powder characteristics: yellow-green.
① Stomata anomocytic, long axis about 42 μm, short axis about 32 μm.
② Non-glandular hairs multicellular, basal cells short in shape.
③ The glandular hair heads are multicellular.
④ Pollen grains are nearly round, about 45μm in diameter, with spiny protrusions on the outer wall and 3 germinal pores.
⑤ The stigma and style fragments have villous or spiny protrusions.
⑥ The vessels have annular and reticulate thickening, 15-40μm in diameter.
⑦ Fibers form bundles, with thin walls and large lumens.
⑧ Pappus fragments are numerous, similar in shape to non-glandular hairs.
Distribution range of Saussurea involucrata
Saussurea involucrata is mostly distributed in **the Tianshan Mountains (Urumqi, Bogda Mountain, Hoxud) / the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Saussurea involucrata often grows on mountain slopes, in valleys, in rock crevices, by water, and in meadows, at an altitude of 2400-**** m.
Saussurea involucrata is also distributed in Russia and Kazakhstan.
Dietary or medicinal value of Saussurea involucrata
The medical information and health dietary information on Hugarden are for reference only and cannot be used as a basis for diagnosis or medical treatment. Any health problem should be consulted with professional medical personnel, and the treatment of any disease should follow a doctor's advice.
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Medicinal value
Functions and indications
Invigorates blood and unblocks menstruation, disperses cold and removes dampness, strengthens sinews and tonifies yang. Used for rheumatoid arthritis, cough due to lung cold, cold pain in the lower abdomen, amenorrhea, retention of the placenta, and impotence.
1. Wind-damp impediment syndrome. This product is bitter and drying, warm and unblocking, sweet and able to tonify; it can both dispel wind-dampness and tonify the liver and kidneys and strengthen sinews and bones. It is especially suitable for wind-damp impediment syndrome with predominant cold-dampness, and for those with long-standing wind-dampness, liver-kidney depletion, and weakness of the lower back and knees. It can be used alone steeped in liquor, or used together with Acanthopanax bark, Taxillus chinensis, and Cibotium barometz.
2. Irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, metrorrhagia and leukorrhea. This product can tonify kidney yang, regulate the Chong and Ren meridians, and stop bleeding. To treat irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, metrorrhagia and leukorrhea due to deficiency-cold of the lower origin and cold congealing the blood vessels, it can be used alone steamed, or stewed with chicken and Codonopsis.
Clears heat and detoxifies, dispels wind-dampness, reduces swelling, and relieves pain. Used for head trauma, gynecological diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, stroke, altitude sickness, and external application to reduce swelling.
Usage and dosage
2-5 fen, decocted in water or steeped in liquor.
Saussurea involucrata contains proteins, amino acids, flavonoids, alkaloids, etc. It has effects such as unblocking menstruation and invigorating blood, dispersing cold and removing dampness, stopping bleeding and reducing swelling, and eliminating toxins from the body.
The vitamin C contained in Saussurea involucrata can soften blood vessels, prevent aging, remove wrinkles and lipid accumulation, and improve microcirculation. It makes the skin glossy and can block the process of chemical carcinogenesis, achieving the goals of cancer prevention, anti-cancer, and cancer treatment, and prolonging life.
Precautions
Note: Contraindicated for pregnant women.
Anti-cancer
Using the in vitro culture [3H]TdR incorporation method, after culturing for 12, 24, 36, and 48 hours, it was observed that the Tianshan Saussurea involucrata flavonoids 4',5,7-trihydroxy-3',6-dimethoxyflavone and hispidulin could both significantly inhibit DNA synthesis in ascites-type liver cancer and sarcoma S180 cancer cells. The ID50 of the two for DNA synthesis in ascites-type liver cancer cells was 70.8μg/ml and 116μg/ml, higher than their inhibition of sarcoma S180. The inhibitory mechanism of 4',5,7-trihydroxy-3',6-dimethoxyflavone on cancer cell DNA synthesis may be the DNA template-damaging type.
The ID50 of Tianshan Saussurea involucrata alkaloids on DNA synthesis in L7712 cancer cells was 51.7g/ml. Total alkaloids at 80g/ml had significant inhibitory effects on DNA, RNA, and protein. The inhibition rates at 24 hours were all above 80%. The mode of inhibition of RNA synthesis may be the template-damaging type.
Effects on the cardiovascular system
(1) Both total alkaloids of Saussurea involucrata and the ethanol extract of Saussurea involucrata can reduce the permeability of skin blood vessels in rabbits, with a relatively strong effect.
(2) Total alkaloids of Saussurea involucrata can cause contraction of isolated rabbit ear blood vessels, while the ethanol extract shows a dilating effect on blood vessels.
(3) Both total alkaloids and total flavonoids of Saussurea involucrata can lower the blood pressure of anesthetized rabbits and anesthetized dogs.
(4) Total alkaloids of Saussurea involucrata have an inhibitory effect on the isolated rabbit heart, can reduce its contraction amplitude, slow the heart rate, and even cause cardiac arrest.
(5) Total alkaloids of Saussurea involucrata show slowed heart rate and convex T waves on rabbit electrocardiogram, lasting for 10 minutes.
Effects on smooth muscle
Total alkaloids of Saussurea involucrata have a significant antispasmodic effect on isolated rabbit smooth muscle spasms caused by histamine, pilocarpine, and acetylcholine; total alkaloids of Saussurea involucrata can partially counteract the contractile effect on isolated tracheal rings caused by histamine.
Anti-inflammatory effects
Intraperitoneal injection of 5% total alkaloids of Saussurea involucrata at 2ml/kg and Saussurea involucrata ethanol extract at 10g (crude drug)/kg both had significant antagonistic effects on acute inflammation of the rat posterior ankle joint caused by egg white solution, but the effect of total alkaloids was the strongest, similar in strength to sodium salicylate. In addition, total alkaloids have the effect of reducing vascular permeability in rabbits.
Anti-free radical and anti-fatigue
Polysaccharides were extracted from Tianshan Saussurea involucrata for the first time. Using the nitroblue tetrazolium colorimetric method, the half-scavenging concentration of this polysaccharide for superoxide anion free radicals was measured as 22.0μg/ml, with a 95% confidence limit of 19.9-24.1μg/ml. The polysaccharide can significantly inhibit the production of thiobarbituric acid reactants in mouse liver homogenate, with an IC50 of 2.3mg/g fresh liver weight, and a 95% confidence limit of 2.05-2.55mg/g fresh liver weight. Intraperitoneal injection of the polysaccharide at 25mg/kg for 5 consecutive days can reduce oxygen consumption in mice by 34.4%, and intraperitoneal injection of the same dose for 6 consecutive days prolonged swimming time in mice by 1.69 times.
Beauty
Saussurea involucrata beauty facial mask: It can accelerate skin metabolism, reduce wrinkles, keep the skin glossy and full, and delay aging. It also has good therapeutic effects on facial freckles, liver spots, etc.
The specific formula is: 25g Saussurea involucrata powder (one flower), 20mL fresh aloe juice, 30mL cucumber juice, 1 raw egg, about 10g flour, 5g sugar, and a little essence. Mix well and place in the refrigerator to extend the period of use. After applying this mask to the face, after 40-45 minutes, the mask will dry and form a film. At this time, gently wash off the paste with clean water. Persist once a week, and after a few times you will feel the skin become noticeably smoother and more elastic. After just 1 month, quite good results will appear. If you persist, it will make the skin white, tender, and rosy, and it also has obvious therapeutic effects on freckles and dark spots, and can also restore skin with chilblains or scars.
For melasma, you can use 30g Saussurea involucrata powder and 15g mung bean powder, mix evenly with a little egg white, and apply to the spots 3 times a day. After one month, melasma, liver spots, etc. can gradually fade. [2]
Dietary therapy effects
1. Saussurea involucrata wine
50 grams of Saussurea involucrata, 500 milliliters of baijiu, sealed and soaked for 10 days before drinking, twice a day, 30-50 milliliters each time. It can dispel dampness and relieve pain, and is suitable for rheumatoid arthritis, joint pain, numbness, and cold limbs caused by arthritis.
2. Saussurea involucrata tea
5 grams of Saussurea involucrata, placed in a teacup, poured with an appropriate amount of boiling water, soaked for 10-20 minutes before drinking, one dose per day. It can dispel dampness and relieve pain, and is suitable for rheumatoid arthritis, joint pain, numbness, and cold limbs caused by arthritis.
3. Beef Tendon and Two-Flower Soup
100 grams of beef tendon, 10 grams each of Saussurea involucrata, cockscomb flower, and shiitake mushroom, 15 grams of ham, and an appropriate amount of seasonings. Soak the beef tendon until soft, wash, cut into sections, place in a steaming bowl, garnish the two flowers around it, place the shiitake mushrooms and ham on top, add ginger, chopped scallions, cooking wine, monosodium glutamate, salt, etc., steam in a steamer for about three hours, and then eat. It can invigorate blood and resolve stasis, unblock collaterals and stop pain, and is suitable for headache caused by qi stagnation and blood stasis.
4. Saussurea involucrata mutton soup
30 grams of Saussurea involucrata, 100 grams of yellow mutton, and an appropriate amount of seasonings. Wash the Saussurea involucrata; wash the mutton, cut into pieces, boil in boiling water for about 5-10 minutes, remove and soak in cold water to remove the gamey smell, then bring water to a boil, add the mutton and Saussurea involucrata, cook until the mutton is done, add chopped scallions, salt, monosodium glutamate, lard, minced ginger, pepper, etc. in appropriate amounts to season, and eat. It can strengthen the spleen and warm the kidneys, and is suitable for impotence due to kidney deficiency.
5. Saussurea involucrata lean meat soup
30 grams of Saussurea involucrata, 150 grams of lean pork, and an appropriate amount of seasonings. Wash the Saussurea involucrata; wash the lean meat, cut into pieces, place in a pot, add an appropriate amount of clean water and bring to a boil, then add the Saussurea involucrata, cook until the lean meat is done, add chopped scallions, salt, monosodium glutamate, lard, minced ginger, pepper, etc. in appropriate amounts to season, and eat. It can regulate menstruation and stop bleeding, and is suitable for irregular menstruation, heavy menstrual flow, etc.
6. Deer Tendon, Saussurea involucrata, and Chicken Feet Soup
1000 grams of fresh deer tendon, 3 grams of Saussurea involucrata, 50 grams of sliced mushrooms, 200 grams of chicken feet, 25 grams of ham, and appropriate amounts of various seasonings. Wash the deer tendon, add boiling water to soak, change the water when it cools, repeat many times, wait until the deer tendon swells, trim the fascia clean, cut into finger-sized strips and put into a pot, add ginger, scallions, Shaoxing wine, and water, simmer the deer tendon until thoroughly cooked, remove, discard the ginger and scallions, and place the deer tendon and broth into a jar. Blanch the chicken feet in boiling water, remove the yellow skin, cut off the tips, wash the Saussurea involucrata clean, and put it together with ham slices, mushroom slices, clear soup, and seasonings into the deer tendon jar, simmer over gentle heat until thoroughly cooked, and take two doses per week. It can tonify the liver and kidneys, strengthen sinews and bones, and remove cold-dampness. It is suitable for rheumatic and rheumatoid joint pain, weakness of the lower back and knees, and weakness of the hands and feet.
Dietary therapy
1. Saussurea involucrata and black-bone chicken pot
2. Saussurea involucrata and squab pot
3. Saussurea involucrata and soft-shelled turtle soup
4. Saussurea involucrata steeped in liquor
5. Saussurea involucrata cake
6. Saussurea involucrata stewed chicken
7. Saussurea involucrata wine
8. Saussurea involucrata tea
9. Beef Tendon and Two-Flower Soup
10. Saussurea involucrata mutton soup
11. Saussurea involucrata lean meat soup
12. Deer Tendon, Saussurea involucrata, and Chicken Feet Soup
Cultural background and legends of Saussurea involucrata
In the past, when high-mountain herders encountered Saussurea involucrata on their journeys, it was considered an omen of good fortune and auspiciousness, and it was treated as a holy object. It is said that this lotus in the snow was scattered by fairies when the Queen Mother of the West of Yaochi went to Tianchi to bathe, and the snow peak more than five thousand meters opposite is a beautiful mirror. Saussurea involucrata is regarded as a divine object. Drinking the dew drops on the bracts is believed to ward off evil and cure diseases and prolong life.
Records in medical history
In Tibetan medicine and Tibetan pharmacology, Saussurea involucrata has a long history as a medicine. It is recorded in the Tibetan medical literature "Moon King Medicine Treasure" and "Four Tantras". Saussurea involucrata has been used in medicine for hundreds of years. The Han people mostly regard it as a precious product for treating rheumatic arthritis; the Uyghur and Kazakh peoples regard it as a good gynecological medicine. There are many kinds of Saussurea involucrata, such as Saussurea medusa. Saussurea laniceps, Saussurea gnaphalodes, Tibetan Saussurea involucrata, etc. **Saussurea involucrata is regarded as the authentic product in the record of "Supplement to the Compendium of Materia Medica". The one produced at the Bogda Peak area of Tianchi is of the best quality and has a mysterious color.
Saussurea involucrata was recorded as early as in "Supplement to the Compendium of Materia Medica" written by the Qing dynasty medical scientist Zhao Xuemin, and it is also a commonly used medicine among the Tibetan, Mongolian, Uyghur, and other ethnic groups. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that Saussurea involucrata is warm in nature and sweet and bitter in flavor, enters the spleen and kidney meridians, and has the effects of dispelling cold and strengthening yang, regulating menstruation and stopping bleeding. It is suitable for impotence, weakness of the lower back and knees, uterine bleeding in women, irregular menstruation, rheumatoid arthritis, traumatic bleeding, etc. "Ganyuan Xiaoshi" says it "removes cold phlegm and aids the yang path"; "Supplement to the Compendium of Materia Medica" says it "treats all cold syndromes"; "Sichuan Chinese Materia Medica" says it "removes cold phlegm and water retention, strengthens yang, nourishes blood, and warms the uterus. Treats impotence in men, irregular menstruation and uterine discharge in women"; "**Chinese Herbal Medicine Manual" says it "unblocks menstruation and invigorates blood, strengthens sinews and bones, and promotes uterine contraction.
Treats rheumatoid arthritis, cold pain in the lower abdomen in women, amenorrhea, retention of the placenta, incomplete eruption of measles, cough due to lung cold, and impotence"; "Yunnan Chinese Herbal Medicine" says it "regulates menstruation and stops bleeding. Treats irregular menstruation, snow blindness, toothache, and traumatic bleeding". Pharmacological studies show that Saussurea involucrata mainly contains chemical components such as alkaloids, flavonoids and their glycosides, steroids, lignans, and volatile oils. The water extract or alcohol extract of Saussurea involucrata has anti-rheumatic, analgesic and cardiotonic effects, pregnancy-terminating effects, free radical scavenging and anti-fatigue effects, and also has pharmacological effects such as antispasmodic, blood pressure-lowering, anti-asthmatic, and anti-cancer effects.
Compendium of Materia Medica
In the Qing dynasty, in the book "Supplement to the Compendium of Materia Medica" written by Zhao Xuemin, there are records that "in the land of great cold, snow accumulates, and in spring and summer it does not disperse; among the snow there is a plant, like a lotus with a single stem, graceful and lovely among the snow" and "in that land there is the Tianshan Mountains, with snow in winter and summer; among the snow there is a lotus, and the one at the summit of the Tianshan Mountains is the first". Nature and flavor: bitter, slightly bitter, warm; functions and indications: clears heat and detoxifies, dispels wind-dampness, reduces swelling, and relieves pain. Used for head trauma, gynecological diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, stroke, altitude sickness, and external application to reduce swelling.
The following 7 species are found in Tibet:
(1) Himalayan Saussurea involucrata, produced in Yadong and Nyalam
(2) Saussurea tridactyla, produced in Baxoi, Bomi, Gyaca, Cona, and Yadong; (3) Saussurea gnaphalodes, produced in Nedong and Cona
(4) Saussurea gnaphalodes, produced in Shantsa, Namling, Zhongba, Burang, and Zanda
(5) Saussurea conaensis, endemic to Cona
(6) Saussurea caespitosa, produced in Gyirong
All 7 species above can be used as medicine from the whole plant, and have the functions of dispelling cold, strengthening yang, nourishing blood, and warming the uterus; they mainly treat women's diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, and kidney deficiency, lower back pain, etc. Saussurea medusa also has a cardiotonic effect.
Nature and flavor: bitter, slightly bitter, warm; functions and indications: clears heat and detoxifies, dispels wind-dampness, reduces swelling, and relieves pain. Used for head trauma, gynecological diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, stroke, altitude sickness, and external application to reduce swelling.
The Tang dynasty frontier poet Cen Shen, at a high northern latitude, wrote of Saussurea involucrata as a "rare flower of the Western Regions." For thousands of years it has been regarded by **herders of various ethnic groups as the embodiment of holiness and the symbol of love, respectfully called "sage grass" and "alpine rose." "Supplement to the Compendium of Materia Medica" records: "Saussurea involucrata is shaped like a lotus, reaches a height of about one chi, is produced in Ili and other places, and the one produced at the summit of the Tianshan Mountains is the first." It correctly describes the shape and place of origin of Saussurea involucrata. Saussurea involucrata is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Asteraceae family, also known as snow lotus and stone lotus. It grows in rock crevices, stone walls, and glacial till gravel beaches near the snow line of **the Tianshan Mountains, Altai Mountains, and Kunlun Mountains, with the most produced in the Tianshan Mountains and the best quality there as well.
According to research, Saussurea involucrata is a precious medicinal plant, containing volatile oils, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, sugars, tannins, and other components. It has effects such as removing cold phlegm, strengthening yang and nourishing blood, warming the uterus and dispersing stasis, and treating irregular menstruation. It is used for kidney deficiency and lower back pain, dispelling wind-dampness, and unblocking menstruation and invigorating blood. Weakly alkaline Saussurea involucrata wash is exactly the use of the natural weakly alkaline components of Saussurea involucrata to treat fungal vaginitis and vaginal bleeding. The whole plant of Saussurea involucrata is used as medicine, and it is collected when it blooms from July to early August, when the medicinal effect is best. After collection, it should be dried in the hot sun to prevent the loss of volatile oils and the destruction of active ingredients.
Saussurea involucrata should not be decocted in water (because it contains volatile oils). It is mostly soaked in baijiu. One large Saussurea involucrata flower plus one jin of baijiu, soaked for 7 days before it can be taken. Take twice a day, 10 milliliters each time. It has good therapeutic effects on rheumatic arthritis and sore waist and legs.
Saussurea involucrata is a traditional precious Chinese medicinal material. Modern medical research and clinical application show that Saussurea involucrata contains proteins, amino acids, flavonoids, alkaloids, etc. It has effects such as tonifying yin and strengthening yang, unblocking menstruation and invigorating blood, warming the uterus and dispersing stasis, dispersing cold and removing dampness, stopping bleeding and reducing swelling, and eliminating toxins from the body.
Saussurea involucrata commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine
To treat rheumatoid arthritis, cold pain in the lower abdomen in women, amenorrhea, retention of the placenta; uterine discharge in women, impotence and premature ejaculation in men; shoulder and elbow inflammation, waist and leg pain; bone hyperplasia and other joint diseases; polio; snow blindness, cough due to lung cold, and traumatic bleeding, and facial pigmentation caused by liver and kidney diseases, etc. Major pharmaceutical factories use Saussurea involucrata to produce ten new special medicines such as "Jiaoyan Weakly Alkaline Saussurea involucrata Wash", "Saussurea involucrata Maitong", and "Saussurea involucrata Cold Capsules". The clinical effects are remarkable, and they are hot-selling products in domestic and foreign pharmaceutical markets.
Trauma treatment usage [alcohol preparation]: 50g Saussurea involucrata; 500ml baijiu, soak for 10 days, 30-50ml per day. [Knife wound bleeding]: Grind this product into fine powder and apply externally.
In addition to the above medicinal value, Saussurea involucrata also has ornamental value and edible value. After testing, the vitamin C contained in Saussurea involucrata can soften blood vessels, prevent aging, remove wrinkles and lipid accumulation, and improve microcirculation. It makes the skin glossy and can block the process of chemical carcinogenesis, achieving the goals of cancer prevention, anti-cancer, and cancer treatment, and prolonging life.
The flavonoids in Saussurea involucrata have good therapeutic effects on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular system diseases. Because Saussurea involucrata contains various trace elements and some highly effective bioactive substances, it has effects such as clearing the liver and brightening the eyes, dispelling wind and dispersing cold, resolving phlegm and promoting fluid production, relieving pain and detoxifying, invigorating blood and unblocking menstruation, and dilating coronary arteries. Saussurea involucrata has now been used to develop and produce advanced health products such as Jiaoyan Weakly Alkaline Saussurea involucrata Wash, Saussurea involucrata health wine, Saussurea involucrata floss tea, Saussurea involucrata juice beverage, Saussurea involucrata crystal, Saussurea involucrata pastries, Saussurea involucrata porridge, and Saussurea involucrata candy.
Conservation value
Saussurea involucrata is a rare and precious medicinal plant in alpine regions, so protecting the germplasm resources of Saussurea involucrata is of great significance both scientifically and medically.
Conservation measures
It is suggested to establish nature protection sites in the Ili or Altai mountain areas where Saussurea involucrata is concentrated, so as to give it key protection.
Conservation status
July-August every year is the season when **Tianshan wild Saussurea involucrata blooms. However, at this time every year, large numbers of lawbreakers come to crazily dig and collect near the snow line above 3000 meters. Wild Saussurea involucrata reproduces by seeds. The poachers pull them up by the roots, leaving them no chance even to bloom and set seed, resulting in a sharp decrease in the number of Tianshan Saussurea involucrata. Relevant local experts have repeatedly stated that if this phenomenon cannot be curbed, within a few years, this precious species, Saussurea involucrata, may disappear from the earth.
In order to protect Tianshan Saussurea involucrata, the Saussurea involucrata Protection Branch of the **Wildlife Conservation Association launched public welfare publicity activities for protecting Saussurea involucrata among Tianshan pastoral areas and tourists, to stop indiscriminate collection. The **Institute of Physical and Technical Chemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences also used cloning and tissue culture technology to artificially plant Saussurea involucrata at Tianshan Tianchi starting in 2004. Some Saussurea involucrata have already bloomed, and it is expected to open a new channel to replace wild Saussurea involucrata in supplying the pharmaceutical market demand.
The flower language of Saussurea involucrata
The flower language of Saussurea involucrata: pure white love, tenacity, purity, bringing people hope, and it is also a symbol of holiness.
Saussurea involucrata pictures