Pinyin name Xu mu Gēn

The English name of alfalfa is Root

The root of California sweet clover

alfalfa

Purple alfalfa

Alias Huang Tu Chun.

source

Source of medicinal materials: roots of alfalfa in Leguminosae. And alfalfa.

Latin animal and plant mineral name: 1. Alfalfa. [small tooth bean. Not L.] 2. alfalfa

Harvest and storage: dig in summer, wash, use less or dry in the sun.

Original shape

1. Purple alfalfa is a perennial herb. The taproot is 2-5 meters long. The rhizome is developed; With or without vines, the stem is 30- 100cm high, erect or prostrate, smooth and multi-branched, ranging from 15-25 branches. 3 compound leaves, the leaflets are obovate, oblong, 2-2.5 cm long, and only the top is serrated; There is a middle rib protrusion at the top of the lobule; Petiole is long and smooth; Stipules are very large. Pedicels are extracted from leaf axils, and flowers have short pedicels; 8-25 flowers form a cluster of racemes; Calyx campanulate, with 5 teeth; Corolla purple. Pods spiral, 2-3 times unequal in length, slightly hairy, dark brown, not dehiscent. 1-8 seeds, kidney-shaped, yellowish brown, very small. Flowering period may-June.

2. Southern alfalfa, an annual or biennial herb. Leaflets are broadly ovoid or obcordate, with slightly rounded or concave apex, serrated upper part and wedge-shaped lower part. These flowers are yellow. Pods are spiral, without deep grooves, with protrusions and sparse thorns.

Habitat distribution

Ecological environment: 1. Alfalfa: Born in the wilderness and fields.

2. Southern alfalfa: cultivated in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River.

Resource distribution: 1. Alfalfa is widely distributed and cultivated in most areas of China.

2. Southern alfalfa is distributed in central and southern China; The lower reaches of the Yangtze River are cultivated land.

Character identification The root cylinder is slender, with a diameter of 0.5-2cm and many branches. The head of the root is thick, and sometimes there are residual stems on the ground. The surface is grayish brown to reddish brown with lenticels, which is not obvious. Hard and brittle, with prickly cross section. Weak breath, slightly bitter.

The roots of alfalfa contain sugar. Root exudates contain 2- aminoadipic acid and two other unknown amino acids.

Pharmacological action The root of alfalfa has weak antibacterial effect on Staphylococcus aureus, but has no effect on Escherichia coli.

Bitter in nature; cold

Meridian-entering liver; Kidney meridian

The function is to clear away heat and promote diuresis; Drain the stones. Signs of fever and boredom; Jaundice; Urinary calculi.

Usage and dosage: decocted,15-30g; Or mash the juice.

Various exhibitions

1. "Tang Herbal Classic": The main fever is full, the eyes are Huang Chi, the urine is yellow, and the wine is yellow. Take a liter of juice, which makes people feel comfortable.

2. "Compendium of Materia Medica": pouring juice and decocting, treating sandstone pain.

3. Su Yi's Handbook of Chinese Herbal Medicine: Clearing away heat, promoting diuresis and eliminating jaundice.

Excerpts from Chinese Materia Medica