1. Description:
Zizania latifolia (also known as Manchurian wild rice, Chinese Pinyin: Gu, Simplified Chinese: 菰, 茭白, 茭瓜, 茭笋, 茭草, 蒋草), is a species of monocotyledonous, flowering, wild rice (a wet plant) in genus Zizania (botanical grasses family, Poaceae). Found in wild fields, wetlands and also cultivated as an agricultural crop across Asia (for its stem), the plant can grow up to 200 cm tall. The stem of Zizania latifolia is used as heat-clearing drug in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) and widely adopted in treating different diseases and health problems, such as diabetes.
2. Odour, Properties And Channels:
The stem of Zizania latifolia is considered to have sweet, cold, aperitive and nontoxic properties and to be associated with the liver, spleen and lung meridians.
3. Uses, Health Benefits of Zizania Latifolia & Medical Formulas:
3.1 Diabetes
A decoction of Zizania latifolia root is taken orally and regularly to treat diabetes.
3.2 Reducing Inflammation, Swelling
Smashed Zizania latifolia root can be applied externally to treat boils and snake bites.
3.3 The Excretory System
Zizania latifolia stem can be used for food and help with constipation and urinary obstruction, it can also be used in treating caked breasts (or galactostasis) in women.
The Ben Cao Medical Book (also known as Compendium of Materia Medica or Ben Cao Gang Mu; Chinese: 本草纲目) is the most famous and comprehensive medical book ever written in the history of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Compiled and written by Li Shi-zhen (1518~1593), a medical expert of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) over 27 years.
The Ben Cao Medical Book records and describes all the plants, animals, minerals, and other objects that were believed to have medicinal properties in TCM. The book reflects the pharmaceutical achievements and developments of East Asia before the 16th century. On the basis of his predecessors’ achievements in the pharmacological studies, Li contributed further by supplementing and rectifying many past mistakes and misconception in relate to nature of many medicinal substances and causes of various illnesses. Charles Darwin, originator of the biological theory of evolution, regards the book as the “ancient Chinese encyclopedia”.
Disclaimer: The Ben Cao Medical Book is translated by ChinaAbout.net . The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of CTM knowledge and information from the research and experience from the author Li Shi-zhen. Kindly be alert that the CTM knowledge and ancient formulas given above are likely NOT medically proven and may contain misconceptions.