Epimedium is also known as fairy spleen, cane grass, and just before. It is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Epimedium in the family Berberaceae. Wild epimedium grows in shrubs, sparse forests, semi-shady places at forest edges and damp places on mountain slopes at an altitude of 450-3500 meters above sea level in temperate zones and ** zones. China is the origin and geographical distribution center of Epimedium Goat Weed. Now it is cultivated in Shaanxi, Gansu, Shanxi, Henan, Qinghai, Hubei and Sichuan.
Epimedium plants are 20-60 cm tall. The rhizomes are stubby, lignified, dark brown. The basal and stemic compound leaves are basal and stem-born, with 9 leaflets, and the leaflets are ovate or broadly ovate. Panicles, flowers white or pale yellow. Capsule.
Epimedium likes dampness and is sensitive to light, so avoid direct sunlight. goat weed has strict soil requirements with a pH of 60—7.5. Loose, fertile, well-drained sandy loam soil is preferred. Propagation methods: seed propagation, dividing propagation, rhizome propagation. The flowering period is from May to June, and the fruiting period is from June to August.
goat weed is used as a medicine with dried leaves. Its medicinal use was first recorded in the "Shennong Materia Medica", and it is also recorded in the "Rihuazi Materia Medica". Traditional Chinese medicine believes that epimedium has the effect of tonifying kidney yang, strengthening muscles and bones, and dispelling rheumatism.
Scientific determination shows that the main components of Epimedium are total flavonoids, icariins, polysaccharides, volatile oils, wax alcohols, phytosterols, tannins, vitamin E, etc.
Modern research has confirmed that Epimedium has the following medicinal and health effects:
1. Prevention of osteoporosis;2. Enhance immune function;3. Protect the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular system;4. Antibacterial and antiviral;5. Delay aging;6. Maintain blood pressure, blood sugar and blood lipids