Humulus, also known as "cut vine" and "itch grass", is a plant that is more common in rural areas. Although it sometimes causes some distress to farmers, in reality, humulus has many unknown uses and values.
1. Shape characteristics
Humulus is a creeping, perennial herbaceous plant that belongs to the Morberry family. Its stems are slender and tangled, and often grow many branches, making the whole plant look very lush. The leaves are heart-shaped or kidney-shaped, with deep wrinkles on the surface and serrated edges. In summer, humulus will produce green or pale yellow flowers that aggregate into a conical bouquet that stands out.
2. Growth environment
Humulus is highly adaptable and can grow in a variety of soil and climatic conditions. In China, humulus is mainly distributed in southern regions, such as Zhejiang, Fujian, Hunan and other places. It usually grows on hillsides, meadows, roadsides, and understories, and often grows around other plants, forming a dense green vegetation.
3. Value and role
The first is medicinal value
Humulus has good medicinal properties and is one of the traditional Chinese medicinal materials. According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, humulus is cold, sweet and bitter in taste, and has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, diuresis and swelling, and promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis.
It is often used for colds, coughs, asthma, pneumonia, hepatitis, cholecystitis, urinary tract infections, bruises and other diseases. Modern medical research has also shown that humulus contains flavonoids, phenolic acids, volatile oils and other components, which have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-tumor and other effects.
The second is the edible value
In addition to its medicinal properties, humulus is also a nutritious wild vegetable. In some areas of the south, people pick the young leaves and stems of humulus to eat as vegetables, which are refreshing and nutritious. In addition, humulus can also be used to make herbal teas, which have certain health benefits.
The third is for other uses
Humulus has other uses besides its medicinal and edible properties. First of all, the stems of humulus are soft and tough, and they can be used to weave various utensils such as baskets, mats, etc. Secondly, the juice of humulus can be used to make natural dyes, which are used to dye textiles. In addition, humulus can also be used as a green manure plant to improve soil fertility.
Fourth, how to use
Medicinal
In the application of traditional Chinese medicine, humulus is used in a variety of ways. Different methods of use can be selected according to different conditions, such as decoction for internal use, mashed for external application, or decoction for washing. For example, for symptoms such as colds and coughs, humulus can be decocted with traditional Chinese medicines such as nepeta and perilla; For symptoms such as bruises, humulus can be mashed externally or decoction to wash the affected area. When using humulus, it is necessary to pay attention to the dosage and compatibility contraindications to avoid adverse reactions.
Serve
When eaten as a wild vegetable, you can choose the young leaves and stems of humulus, blanch them in hot water, or cook them before eating. Humulus can also be stir-fried with other vegetables or made into soups. When drinking as an herbal tea, you can choose the dried leaves of humulus and soak them in water to drink as offspring tea. It has the functions of clearing heat and detoxifying, diuresis and swelling.
Other uses
When weaving utensils, you can choose the stem part of the humulus and weave it after processing and treatment. When used as a dye, the juice of humulus can be extracted, and an appropriate amount of acidic substances can be added to prepare it. When used as a green manure plant, the stems and leaves of humulus can be cut into small pieces and buried in the soil to allow it to decay and decompose naturally to improve soil fertility. When using these uses, attention needs to be paid to safety and environmental issues.
5. Precautions
Although humulus has certain medicinal and edible value, it does not mean that it can be used freely. First of all, for people who are not familiar with herbal medicine, the advice of a professional doctor or pharmacist should be consulted before use; Secondly, when using humulus, it is necessary to pay attention to the dosage and compatibility contraindications; Finally, pay attention to safety and environmental issues.