Cat whisker grass

Cat whisker grass

(Handbook of commonly used Chinese herbal medicine of Guangzhou Army)

Another name: maoxugong and Shencha.

[source] it is the whole plant of calyptratae.

[plant morphology] Cynanchum micranthum

Subshrub, 0.5-1 m high. Stems and branches square, purple brown. Leaves opposite; ovate lanceolate, 3-12 cm long, 1.5-5 cm wide, margin serrate above middle, both sides hairy, glandular dots below; petiole 1-3 cm long. The flowers are lavender, 2-3 flowers in a bunch opposite, arranged in racemes at the top of branches; calyx tubular, 5-toothed, bearing downward, with large upper teeth and membranous; corolla tube slender, limb 2-lipped, upper lip 3-4-lobed, lower lip entire; stamens 4, 2 long and 2 short, filaments protruding out of corolla, 4-6 cm long; front of disk swollen: style tip rod-shaped. Nutlets globose with reticulate surface. The flowering period is summer and autumn.

It is distributed in the south of China. Most of them are cultivated.

[collection] it can be harvested all year round, cut into sections and dried in the sun.

[chemical composition] it contains calcium sulfate, calcium salt and potassium salt of unknown organic acid, volatile oil, saponin, pentose, hexose, glucuronic acid, etc. The leaves contain racemic inositol.

[flavor] sweet, light, slightly bitter, cool.

Functions and indications: clearing away heat and dampness, removing stones and promoting diuresis. Treatment of acute and chronic nephritis, cystitis, urinary calculi, rheumatoid arthritis.

[usage and dosage] oral administration; decoction, 1-2 Liang (fresh, 3-4 Liang).