The synonym Buya (diminutive), is an important medicinal plant resource and natural vegetation component of Ningxia, the wild resource has a wide distribution area, with a yield of about 900 pounds per acre, a large amount of reserves, and an outstanding population advantage. Because of its high medicinal value and ecological function, the rational protection and development and utilization of bitter beans resources has attracted more and more attention, the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region has been included in the protection of the bitter beans in one of the six key local herbs, into the national modernization of traditional Chinese medicine science and technology industry action plan, the construction of production bases and the development of the depth of the development of the development of the significant development.

Effects and functions

Medicinal properties bitter, cold. Toxic. Attributed to the stomach, large intestine meridian.　Effective in clearing heat and drying dampness, relieving pain and killing worms.　Application 1. Damp-heat diarrhea. This product is bitter and cold in nature, and functions in clearing heat and drying dampness to stop dysentery. It is effective in treating damp-heat diarrhea with acute and severe symptoms.　2. Gastric pain and acid swallowing. This product into the stomach meridian can clear stomach heat, can cure stomach fever, stomach pain, acid swallowing, alone with five seeds powder, or with dandelion, ginger and other medicines ("Xinjiang Herbal Medicine Manual") 3. eczema, ringworm. This product functions in clearing heat and drying dampness, killing insects and can be used to treat eczema, ringworm, with its dry distilled oil made into ointment for external application.　4. Excessive leucorrhea. Take this product to clear heat and dry dampness to stop leucorrhea, can be swallowed effectively.　5. Sores and ulcers. This product can not only clear heat, but also toxins, so it can be used to treat feverish sores, ulcers, etc. It can be used in appropriate amount of crushed, decoction and external wash the affected area.　Usage and dosage: Decoction of the whole herb, 1.5-3 g. Seeds are fried and powdered, 5 grains each time.　Use note that this product is toxic, should not be taken internally too much.

Botanical form

Shrub. Branches more broom-like, densely covered with gray voluminous silky hairs. Leaves alternate, simple pinnately compound; leaflets 15-25, gray-green, rectangular, 1.5-2.5 cm long, sericeous on both surfaces, apical leaflets smaller; stipules small, subulate, persistent. Racemes terminal, 12 to 15 cm long; flowers dense; calyx densely gray sericeous, with short triangular calyx teeth apically; corolla butterfly-shaped, yellow. Pods beadlike, 3-7 cm long, densely covered with fine silky hairs, seeds yellowish, ovate.　Born in fields, roadsides, meadows, riversides, distributed in Nei Mongol, Xinjiang, Xizang and other places.　The roots of this plant (bitter licorice) are also used medicinally, and are described in a separate article.

Geographic distribution

Bitter beans for the legume genus Sophora, mainly distributed in the north of China's desert, semi-desert areas. East from Baotou, Inner Mongolia, Shenmu, west to Xinjiang, Huocheng, Kashgar, south from Yecheng people Hetian, Dunhuang, to Ningxia's Zhongwei, Yanchi, north to the Habahe, Altai, Hami, Ulatezhong Houqi, Alxa's vast area. Geographically continuous distribution with two, south from the Ordos Plateau through the Hexi Corridor to the Tarim Basin, north from the Inner Mongolia Plateau through the Alxa Plateau, Hami Basin, Turpan Basin to the Junggar Basin between the two belts is intermittent distribution.

The bitter bean seed is suitable for growing in the desert, semi-desert area in the wetter sections, such as semi-fixed dunes and fixed dunes in the low humidity, high water table in the low wetlands, the lake basin sandy, oasis edge and agricultural areas next to the ditch and the field head.