Sparrow flower

Sparrow flower

(Yunnan Chinese herbal medicine)

Bai Kemu.

[source] the stem of Schima superba, a Hamamelidaceae plant.

[plant morphology] Schima superba

Arbor, 20 m high. The trunk is thick and straight, bald and smooth; the branchlets have enlarged stipules and nodes. Single leaf alternate; leathery; broadly ovate, 10-17 cm long, 9-13 cm wide, apex acuminate, base cordate, undivided or palmately 3-lobed, palmately veins 5-7; petiole 3-6 cm long; bracteate stipules 2, 2-3 cm long, thick leathery, enveloping bud, exfoliative. Inflorescence axillary, with 10-12 flowers; flowers bisexual or unisexual; calyx teeth short, scaly; petals 2-5, strip, half of style, or absent; stamens 10-14, as long as style, anthers ellipsoid. Filaments filiform; ovary semiinferior, 2-locular, 3 ovules per locule, style 2. Capitate inflorescence 2 cm in diam. Capsule ovate. Seeds winged, bright black.

Born in mountains and dense forests. It is distributed in Yunnan, Guizhou and Guangxi.

[collection] all year round. Cut, sun dry or fresh.

[nature and taste] sour and astringent, warm, little toxic.

[function indications] Shujin Huoxue, Huoluo Zhitong. Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, sciatica.

[usage and dosage] oral administration: decoction, 1-2 yuan.

[should avoid] pregnant women should not take it.