Polygonatum sibiricum, a plant known as the "immortal grass", has played an important role in Chinese medicine since ancient times. According to legend, the Yunwu Fairy Cave on Tiantai Mountain only opens once every 3,000 years. The Polygonatum sibiricum at the entrance of the cave matures under the nourishment of the fairy water and is eaten by the immortals in order to achieve eternal youth and immortality. This legend not only adds to the mystery of Polygonatum sibiricum, but also reflects its precious status in people's hearts.
Plant properties of Polygonatum sibiricum
Polygonatum sibircum, belonging to the Liliaceae family, mainly includes the dried rhizomes of Polygonatum sibircum Redoute and related plants of the same genus. It is a perennial herb mainly distributed in Northeast China, Mongolia, and Jiangbei.
The growth environment of Polygonatum sibiricum is also quite particular. It likes to grow in high mountain areas with an altitude of 3,000 to 4,200 meters , which makes it a precious wild plant. In these high-altitude areas, Polygonatum sibiricum grows in an environment surrounded by clouds and mist, absorbing the essence of heaven and earth, and becoming a medicinal material with extremely nourishing value .
The growth environment and unique plant characteristics of Polygonatum odoratum add a sense of mystery and preciousness to it. In China, Polygonatum odoratum is regarded as a tonic medicine with the same status as ginseng, and is named after the essence of Kun soil.
The underground stem of Polygonatum sibiricum has nodes, and the surface is light yellow to yellow-brown, with fine wrinkles and slightly raised wavy rings. The cross section is light brown and translucent keratin or waxy . The old Polygonatum sibiricum becomes enlarged and similar to ginger .
Its rhizomes have various shapes, some are like chicken heads, some are like ginger, and some are elliptical. These different shapes of rhizomes give Polygonatum sibiricum different common names in different regions, such as "chicken head Polygonatum sibiricum" and "ginger-shaped Polygonatum sibiricum".
Polygonatum odorless, slightly sweet and sticky , which makes it unique in both medicinal and edible uses. Whether it is boiled in soup, boiled in paste or added into pills and powders, Polygonatum odoratum can play its unique tonic effect. It is flat in nature, sweet in taste, and enters the spleen, lung, and kidney meridians. It has the effects of replenishing qi and nourishing yin, strengthening the spleen, moistening the lungs, and benefiting the kidneys.
Preparation and efficacy of Polygonatum odoratum
Polygonatum is mainly used to treat symptoms such as spleen and stomach weakness, fatigue, dry mouth and poor appetite, lung deficiency and dry cough, lack of essence and blood, internal heat and thirst . It has the effects of nourishing yin and moistening the lungs, replenishing the spleen and replenishing qi, replenishing the middle and replenishing qi, nourishing and strengthening, replenishing essence and removing moisture . Ancient medical books such as "Compendium of Materia Medica" and "Famous Doctors' Records" have detailed records of the effects of Polygonatum, saying that it can "replenish various deficiencies, stop cold and heat, and replenish essence and marrow."
There are many different ways to prepare Polygonatum, and different preparation methods will bring different medicinal effects.
First, let's look at the traditional preparation method of " Nine Steaming and Nine Drying ". This method requires repeatedly steaming and drying the polygonatum for nine times. After such treatment, the medicinal properties of the polygonatum will become milder and suitable for long-term use. This preparation method can enhance the effect of the polygonatum in nourishing yin and moistening the lungs, tonifying the spleen and replenishing qi, and is especially suitable for those who are weak, dry mouth and have little appetite .
Next is the pill making method, which is to "cut the polygonatum into small pieces, boil it in water until it is very rotten, squeeze the juice in a cloth bag, boil it to make it concentrated, dry the residue into powder, put it into a pot and boil it into pills as big as chickens." The polygonatum pills made in this way have more concentrated medicinal effects and are easy to take. This preparation method can enhance the effect of polygonatum in replenishing qi and strengthening the body , and is especially suitable for those who need to quickly replenish their physical strength .
In addition, Polygonatum odoratum can be boiled into soup or made into paste . This traditional way of taking it has a long history in China. Paste, as the name suggests, is to boil the herbs into a thick paste, which is convenient for long-term storage and consumption.
The process of making Polygonatum sibiricum paste is quite delicate. First, the Polygonatum sibiricum rhizome needs to be finely chopped and boiled in water until extremely rotten. Then the juice is squeezed with a cloth bag and boiled until the juice is concentrated and boiled into a thick paste.
Finally, let's look at the method of "finely grind the rhizomes of Polygonatum sibiricum, no matter how much, dry them in the shade and grind them into powder, then mix them with water." The Polygonatum sibiricum powder made by this method is very flexible to use and can be mixed with different dosages as needed.
This method of preparation can enhance the effect of Polygonatum odoratum in replenishing essence, removing moisture, soothing and nourishing, and is especially suitable for those who need long-term care. Polygonatum odoratum powder can not only be taken orally, but also used externally , and it also has a certain therapeutic effect on some skin diseases.
Through these different processing methods, Polygonatum odoratum has shown its various medicinal effects, whether it is nourishing yin and moistening the lungs, tonifying the spleen and replenishing qi, or tonifying the middle and replenishing qi, nourishing and strengthening, all can be fully exerted in different processing methods. This also makes Polygonatum odoratum a very flexible and practical Chinese herbal medicine, providing a variety of choices for people's health.
Modern Research on Polygonatum sibiricum
Modern research shows that Polygonatum has a variety of pharmacological effects, including improving immune function, lowering blood pressure, anti-tuberculosis, antibacterial, lowering blood lipids, lowering blood sugar, etc. It can nourish the spleen and moisten the lungs, treat leukopenia, urinary tract infection, tuberculosis, bone and joint infection, hepatitis, coronary heart disease, etc. The polysaccharide extract of Polygonatum has the effect of promoting lymphocyte transformation, can reduce the content of plasma cAMP and cGMP, and has an inhibitory effect on pathogenic fungi in children, as well as on typhoid bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, and tuberculosis.
Notes
Although Polygonatum has many benefits, there are also some precautions. People with cold diarrhea and phlegm and dampness should not take it . In addition, Polygonatum nourishes yin, so people with indigestion and phlegm and dampness should not take it. When using Polygonatum, the dosage should be adjusted according to the specific situation to avoid excessive use.
Medicinal Diet Recipes
Polygonatum odoratum can not only be used for medicinal purposes, but can also be made into various medicinal diets to help people obtain its nourishing effects in daily life. The following are some common recipes for Polygonatum odoratum medicinal diets:
Chinese Yam and Polygonatum Chicken Soup
Ingredients: 6 liang of fresh yam, 3 qian of Polygonatum, 1 chicken
Seasoning: 2 teaspoons of salt, 3 bottles of rice wine
Preparation: Peel the yam and cut into pieces; cut the chicken legs into pieces, wash them, blanch them in hot water, and drain them.
Conclusion
Polygonatum sibiricum, a plant known as the "immortal grass", not only occupies an important position in ancient medicine, but also shows its wide application prospects in modern medicine. Whether used as medicine or made into medicinal food, Polygonatum sibiricum can bring many benefits to people's health. I hope that through this article, more people can understand the precious value of Polygonatum sibiricum and use it reasonably in daily life to achieve the purpose of health care.