Scientific name: chicken feet ginseng

English name: the beard of a cat

Last name: Labiatae

Alias: Cao Maoxu, Yaozhicao, Yaohuacao and Yaocha.

Plant characteristics: perennial herb, woody stems base, square branch, purple-brown.

Leaves: opposite, lanceolate in shape, with irregular serrations at the edge.

Flowers: Hub-shaped inflorescence, terminal at the branch end, with membranous tubular calyx, five teeth, tubular corolla, lip-shaped apex, white, with four stamens and two strong stamens. Filaments are extremely long, and the corolla is slightly pried upward, like a cat's beard. The top of the style is rod-shaped, and the flowering period is from spring to autumn.

Fruit: Nutlets, spherical.

Propagation method: seed propagation and cutting.

Origin: Java, India, Nanyang Islands, Australia.

Uses: medicinal plants, the medicinal parts are leaves, stems or whole grass.

Medicinal use: slightly cold in nature, slightly bitter in taste, and has the effects of clearing away heat and promoting diuresis, diminishing inflammation, detoxicating and diuresis. Because it has the effect of treating various stones, it is called fossil grass, which is mostly used to treat urinary system diseases and also has the effect of lowering blood pressure. Mainly used for the treatment of various lithiasis, nephritis, hepatitis, cystitis and hypertension, and externally used for the treatment of swollen sores and dermatitis. Because of its strong medicinal properties, it must be prescribed by a doctor and used with care.