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Herbs & Plants

Millettia reticulata

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Botanical Name :Millettia reticulata
Family :Fabaceae
Genus: Millettia
Species: reticulata
Common Name: Evergreen Wisteria,  Ji Xue Teng

Habitat : Millettia reticulata  is native to   E. Asia – S. China.  It grows on damp shady places. Thickets on slopes and in valleys at elevations of 100 – 950 metres.

Description:

Millettia reticulata is a deciduous Climber growing to 5 m (16ft 5in).
It is hardy to zone (UK) 8. It is in flower from Jun to August, and the seeds ripen from Aug to November. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects.It can fix Nitrogen.
Its leathery, dark green leaves are made irrelevant when the red-violet, pea-shaped flowers of the evergreen wisteria appear in spring and summer. A woody vine that has twining, rambling, and shrub-like qualities, it is evergreen only in the warmest of regions, being a native of southern China and Taiwan. Its compound leaves are made up of seven to thirteen dark green, leathery, long, oval and pointed leaflets. Anytime from spring to fall, finger-like, spiked clusters of flowers jet outward from the leafy stems. Each blossom is pea-flower shaped, ranging from a red-violet to purple, with a yellow throat. The flowers are mildly fragrant, reminiscent of cedar or camphor, possibly a bit malodorous to some. Bees pollinate them, eventually yielding long, hard, awkwardly formed seedpods by late fall. Repeated flowering can occur if spent flowers and young pods are pruned off.

You may click to  see different pictures

Grow evergreen wisteria in full to partial sun in a rich, well-drained acidic or neutral soil. It needs a sturdy support to climb, for example, a broad trellis, arbor, or mortared stone wall. Without support, the vine becomes a sprawling, haphazard groundcover. In areas with cool, frosty winters the leaves drop off and stems may die back. Mulching the root crown over the winter helps ensure the vine’s return in spring. The plant can look quite ratty when deciduous, and is particularly annoying in spring as you wait for the new leaves.

Cultivation:
Succeeds in full sun in a fertile moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c and down to about -15°c when given the protection of a warm sunny wall. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby.
Propagation:
Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and sow in a greenhouse in spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Layering in spring. Cuttings of half-ripe wood with the leaves removed, July/August in moist sand in a frame

Medicinal Uses:
Medicinal propertiesantianemic hypotensive   anti-inflammatory   gynecologic

In Chinese herbal medicine, pain is often thought to be due to poor or obstructed blood flow.  In this tradition, ji xue teng is classified as an herb that invigorates the blood, and is mainly used to treat menstrual problems.  Ji xue teng is used to relieve menstrual pain or an irregular or absent cycle, especially where this may be due to blood deficiency such as anemia.  It is also prescribed for certain types of arthritis pain, as well as for numbness of the hands and feet.  Limited investigation indicates that ji xue teng may be anti-inflammatory and may lower blood pressure.  A decoction is used in the treatment of stomach aches, breathlessness, anemia in women, menstrual irregularities, vaginal discharge (bloody discharge and leukorrhea), numbness and paralysis, backache and pain in the knees, seminal emission, gonorrhea and stomach ache.  The plant is used as a tonic to induce the growth of red blood cells.  The plant contains the antitumor compound rotenone.

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:
http://www.herbnet.com/Herb%20Uses_IJK.htm
http://www.crescentbloom.com/Plants/Specimen/MI/Millettia%20reticulata.htm
http://www.learn2grow.com/plants/millettia-reticulata/
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Millettia_reticulata_-_Villa_Taranto_(Verbania)_-_DSC03727.JPG
http://plantfinder.sunset.com/sunset/plant-details.jsp;jsessionid=4480AF3819EAEBA7175464241110C55E?id=1919

http://www.plantsofperfection.com/Plant_descriptions/Millettia_reticulata.html

http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Millettia+reticulata

 

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Herbs & Plants

Glehnia littoralis

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Botanical Name :Glehnia littoralis
Family: Apiaceae
Genus: Glehnia
Species: G. littoralis
Order: Apiales
Kingdom : Plantae
Subkingdom : Tracheobionta
Superdivision : Spermatophyta
Division : Magnoliophyta
Class : Magnoliopsida
Subclass : Rosidae

Common Name :Beach silvertop, American silvertop, Bei Sha Shen,Shan hu cai (in Chinese) and Peter von Glehn (in Russian)

Habitat :It is native to eastern Asia, particularly eastern China, Japan, and far-eastern Russia, and western North America from Alaska to northern California.

Description:
It is a long-taprooted plant forming a basal patch of leaves, with each leaf made up of several rounded, lobular segments. It reaches a maximum height exceeding half a meter and its erect stem is topped with an umbel of carrotlike white flowers.

click & see the pictures

Named after Peter von Glehn, a Russian botanist (this plant also grows in Asia), this spreading perennial is confined to beaches and coastal dunes. Its small white flowers are arranged in compact umbels. Its pinnately compound leaves have fleshy leaflets with distinct veins, some with lobes. Its fruits (seen in the pictures) are borne in clusters, each with wing-like ribs. It has a long taproot. Look for it in the dunes of Netarts Spit.

Medicinal uses:
This supplement is used in traditional Chinese medicine as an expectorant and to treat bronchitis and whooping cough. Its mechanism of action is unknown, but animal models reveal analgesic properties. It is reported that glehnia root can hemolyze blood cells, stimulate myocardial contractility, and exert antibacterial effects. Various extracts from glehnia root display analgesic effects in a mouse study utilizing acetic acid-induced writhing tests. Concentrations of 10-50 mg/kg polyacetylene and 80-100 mg/kg coumarin fractions are necessary to elicit analgesia. The roots improve functioning of the liver and kidneys; treat lung diseases, coughs including hacking cough, fever, chest pain.  It is especially effective in treating joint pain and muscle pain, both of acute injuries and in chronic conditions like rheumatoid or osteo arthritis. It can be topically applied and taken internally.   In Japan, Hamaboufuu is an important plant in traditional folk medicine. One ancient use is as an annual tonic. On the day of the Japanese New Year, Japanese people drink a medicinal alcoholic beverage called Toso. The drink contains several medicinal herbs of which Hamaboufuu is one. Drinking it on the New Year’s day is said to insure health in the coming year. It is registered in the Japanese Herbal Medicines Codex.

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:
http://www.herbnet.com/Herb%20Uses_AB.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glehnia_littoralis
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=GLLI
http://www.netartsbaytoday.org/html/white_flowers.html

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Herbs & Plants

Centipeda minima

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Botanical Name : Centipeda minima
Family : Asteraceae/Compositae
Genus : Centipeda Lour.
Species :  Centipeda minima (L.) A.
Kingdom :  Plantae
SubkingdomTracheobionta
Superdivision :  Spermatophyta
Division : Magnoliophyta
Class : Magnoliopsida
Subclass : Asteridae
Order  : Asterales
Synonyms : Artemisia minima – L.,Centipeda minuta – C.B.Clarke.,Centipeda orbicularis – Lour
Common Name : Chikani, Chikika, Kshavaka

Habitat :
E. Asia to Australia. Grows on floodplains and damp areas on most soils.

Description:
Annual herb, ± glabrous to woolly; stems prostrate to ± ascending, 10–20 cm high, much-branched.

click to see the pictures….>……..(01)..……..(1)...…(2)....…(3)..…….(4)..…..……………….
Leaves narrow-ovate or elliptic to cuneate or spathulate, c. 10 mm long, 1–4 mm wide; apex acute to obtuse, base narrowed, margins entire or toothed, often coarsely so near apex; glabrous to woolly; petiole usually indistinct.

Heads ± sessile, usually solitary, hemispherical, 2–4 mm diam.; involucral bracts c. 1 mm long, obtuse. Female florets 3–5-seriate. Bisexual florets c. 10.

Achenes obconic, 1.5–2 mm long, ribs extending ± to apex (mostly NT, CT, ST, NWS, SWS) or achenes c. 1 mm long and similar to C. cunninghamii.

It is hardy to zone 0. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs)

Cultivation:
The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.

Propagation

Seed – sow in a seed tray in mid spring, planting out after the last expected frosts. If you have sufficient seed, the it can be sown in situ outdoors in late spring.

Medicinal Uses:

Anodyne; Antitussive; Depurative; Diuretic; Skin; Sternutatory.

Anodyne, antitussive, depurative, diuretic, stimulates blood circulation. When the aroma of the squeezed flower heads is inhaled it induces sneezing and so is used to relieve nasal conjestion, especially during coughs and colds. A paste made from the flower heads is applied externally in the treatment of swellings and skin inflammations.

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:
http://server9.web-mania.com/users/pfafardea/database/plants.php?Centipeda+minima
http://vaniindia.org.whbus12.onlyfordemo.com/herbal/plantdir.asp
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CEMI5
http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Centipeda~minima

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Barleria prionitis

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Botanical Name:Barleria prionitis
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Lamiales
Family: Acanthaceae
Genus: Barleria
Species: B. prionitis
Common Name : Peetakorhanta, Sachar, Katsaraiya, Yellow naidye,Porcupine flower, Barleria, Vajradanti, Kundan, Mullu goranti, Pilikantashelio.
sanskrit : kuranta; Marathi : vjradanti

Habitat :Native of tropical E Africa and Asia and dispersed by man to other hot countries. It is a herb common in India and it is also found in many parts of the world, like USA, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Naharu.

Description:
A stiff bushy plant to 1.70 m high, spiny . It has attractive yellow or light buff-coloured flowers, and is cultivated here and there in the West African region as an ornamental. In Asia is often grown as a hedge and with clipping it strengthens and by reason of its spines becomes impenetrable.It branches freely above the nodes.They possesss 2-3 divaricated spines measuring 11mm long.  The leaves are ovate-elliptic to ovate, measuring 4-10 cm x 2-6 cm tapering to base, mucronate., galbrous above with many cytolith. The petioles are 2.5 cm long.Flowers are large, solitary, becoming spicate in the upper axils. Bracts are liner-oblong 1.2-2.2cm x 0.2-0.8cm , abruptly acuminate and ciliated. Bracteoles are lines-lanceolate measuring 1.4 cm x 0.15 cm. spinous-tipped. Outer calyx -lobe ovate-oblong and measuring 1.5 x 0.4 cm. and is mucronate.The inner lobes are linear-lanceolate, 13 x 2 mm, also mucronate.The corolla is bright orange-yellow with the tube pilulose outside and 2.5 cm long . Limb is 3 cm across the lateral lobes, the lobes are oval-oblong to rounded  and recurved.The anterior are exserted while the posterior stamens rudimentary. Single short staminoid. Capsule is oviod-oblong,1.2 -1.6 x 0.9-1.1 cm, seeds 2 oval-oblong, 8×5 am with adpressed, silky hairs.
Click to see the pictures

Click for the picture
Constituents :B. prionitis is the larval host of the Phalanta phalantha and Junonia lemonias butterflies. Its leaves are known to contain 6-hydroxyflavone, a chemical compound, one of the noncompetitive inhibitors of cytochrome P450 2C9

Cultivation:
The plant is adapted to high rainfall areas.

Medicinal Uses:
The whole plant, leaves, and roots are used for a variety of purposes in traditional Indian medicine. Plant pacifies vitiated vata, pitta, gingivitis, stomatitis, burns, dental caries, inflammations ascites, edema, wounds, nocturnal ejaculation and cracking heel.

Barleria prionitis has numerous medicinal properties including treating fever, respiratory diseases, toothache, joint pains and a variety of other ailments; and it has several cosmetic uses.
A mouthwash made from root tissue is used to relieve toothache and treat bleeding gums.
The leaves are used to promote healing of wounds and to relieve joint pains and toothache.
Because of its antiseptic properties, extracts of the plant are incorporated into herbal cosmetics and hair products to promote skin and scalp health.

Leaf-sap is slightly acid and bitter. It is given with honey or sugar to children in India for catarrhal affections accompanied by fever and much phlegm. In the Philippines a bath using a decoction of leaves and leafy twigs is administered for febrile catarrh . Other Indian uses are for aphthae, intermittent fever, paralysis, rheumatism, liver diseases, jaundice and dropsy , whooping-cough, urinary troubles, bleeding gums, earache, and cracking and laceration of the feet in the rainy season . A root-decoction is taken as a mouth-wash in E Africa to relieve toothache .Tests for the plant’s antimalarial activity have proved negative on avian malaria .The plant is found to be rich in potassium and this is said to contribute to its diuretic action. Important organic principles appear to be absent.

You may click to see :-
A study of the antidiabetic activity of Barleria prionitis Linn :

http://www.globinmed.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=79317:barleria-prionitis-linn&catid=704:b&Itemid=150

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:
http://www.bitterrootrestoration.com/medicinal-plants/barleria-or-porcupine-flower.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barleria_prionitis
http://plants.jstor.org/upwta/1_15
http://www.globinmed.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=79317:barleria-prionitis-linn&catid=704:b&Itemid=150

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Achyranthes bidentata

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Botanical Name :Achyranthes bidentata Blume
Family: Amaranthaceae
Genus: Achyranthes
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Caryophyllales

Chinese name : Bidentata,Niu Xi
English name : Twotooth Achyranthes Root Twotooth Achyranthes Root,Ox Knee
Latin name: Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae
Alias  : Achyranthes bidentata, the festival grass

Common Name :Apamarga, Umblokando, Bankhat

Habitat:Native to Asian countries.
Achyranthes bidentata Blume  is a species of Achyranthes that grows in India, Nepal, China, and Japan.  It grows in loose fertile soil, more than those born in the wild mountain road.  Medicine is mainly produced in Henan.

Description:
Two-toothed Chaff Flower is an erect, perennial herb, 0.7-1.2 m tall, distributed in hilly districts of India, Java, China and Japan. Stem green or tinged purple, with opposite branches. Leaf stalk 0.5-3 cm, hairy; leaf blade elliptic or elliptic-lanceolate, rarely oblanceolate, 4.5-12 × 2-7.5 cm. Flower spikes terminal or axillary, 3-5 cm; rachis 1-2 cm, white hairy. Flowers dense, 5 mm. Tepals shiny, lanceolate, 3-5 mm, with a midvein, apex acute. Stamens 2-2.5 mm; pseudostaminodes slightly serrulate, apex rounded. Utricles yellowish brown, shiny, oblong, 2-2.5 mm, smooth. Seeds light brown, oblong, 1 mm. Seed are cooked and eaten. A good substitute for cereal grains in bread-making, they have often been used for this purpose during famine. Flowering: July-September. Leaves are used as a vegetable in the same manner as spinach.

You may click to see the pic tures of Achyranthes bidentata

Collect and process  : Leaf blight in winter when the excavation, removal of fine roots and sediment, and bind them into a small, wrinkled sun to dry, will be trimming the top and dried.

Root slender cylindrical, slightly curved, long 15 ~ 50cm, up to 90cm, diameter of 0.4 ~ 1cm. Surface greyish yellow or light brown, with fine longitudinal wrinkles, long horizontal lenticels, and sparse fine root marks.  Hard and brittle, moisture is soft. 2?4?? Section flat, yellow brown, micro skin was like, yellow-white center Kibe vascular, peripheral vascular bundles are arranged in a little bit like 2 ~ 4.  Gas micro, taste slightly sweet, bitter, astringent.


Medicinal Uses:

The plant has been mentioned in manuscripts of Ayurveda and Chinese medicines. In Ayurveda, two varieties, red and white are mentioned. In Sanskrit, synonyms describe this as a rough flowered stalk. It is described in ‘Nighantas’ as purgative, pungent, digestive, a remedy for inflammation of the internal organs, piles, itch, abdominal enlargements and enlarged cervical glands. Hindus used ashes for preparing caustic alkaline preparations. The herb is diuretic and relieve edema; promote blood circulation to remove blood clots and bruising; treat menstrual disorders; ease joints and strengthen bones and muscles; relieve pain in knees and lower back.

It is a superior herb highly recommended for bladder and urinary tract problems and menstrual disorders.

Liver and kidney, strengthening the bones, pass through stasis, blood lead down. For the waist and knee pain, aching, weakness, amenorrhea Zheng Jia, liver yang vertigo.

*Liver and kidney deficiency, waist and knee pain: with Eucommia, Cistanche.
* Amenorrhea Zhengjia: with angelica, red peony root, peach kernel, Corydalis and so on.
* Lower extremity arthritis, joint pain: with papaya, Coix Seed, Campsis, Clematis.

Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:
http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=zh-CN&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zyyzl.com%2Fdrugview.asp%3Fid%3D1864

http://www.asianflora.com/Amaranthaceae/Achyranthes-bidentata.htm

http://vaniindia.org.whbus12.onlyfordemo.com/herbal/plantdir.asp

http://www.dreddyclinic.com/ayurvedic/herbs/aa/apamarga.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achyranthes_bidentata

http://www.foodsnherbs.com/new_page_2.htm

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