Sichuan Large Money Grass

Sichuan Large Money Grass

　　Origin: Sichuan, China.

Characteristics: Sichuan Large Money Grass, also known as "Money Grass," "Little Flower Chain Grass," or "Little Yellow Herb," is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant of the Primulaceae family. The leaves of the grass are round, resembling coins, and it can help dissolve stones in the gallbladder, hence the name "Money Grass." It thrives in cool and moist environments and mostly grows in fertile mountain slopes, sparse forests, and damp grassy areas. It is not cold-resistant. The stems of this herb are soft and creep along the ground, pale red in color, and 20 to 60 centimeters long. The leaves are opposite, heart-shaped, with a prominent midrib, and are hairless on both sides. In spring, it produces small yellow flowers that bloom in pairs from the leaf axils. The fruit is spherical, with short black glandular dots. Wild Money Grass is harvested between April and May, while cultivated Money Grass is harvested once between September and October of the planting year, and then twice more in June and September. It is generally cut about two to three inches above the ground, dried, and processed into the final product.

Composition: Sichuan Large Money Grass contains chemical components such as flavonoids, glycosides, tannins, volatile oils, amino acids, choline, sterols, potassium chloride, and lactones.

Efficacy: In traditional Chinese medicine, the whole plant of Sichuan Large Money Grass is used as medicine. It has a neutral nature and a slightly salty taste, and is known for functions such as promoting urination, clearing urinary tract blockages, dispersing nodules, and reducing swelling. It is primarily used to treat conditions such as gonorrhea and abscesses or toxic sores. Today, it is commonly used to treat liver and gallbladder stones, cholecystitis, jaundice-type hepatitis, urinary tract stones, edema, injuries from falls or blows, and snake bites. The water decoction of this herb also has inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus aureus. When the fresh herb is mashed and applied to suppurative inflammations or burns, it also yields good therapeutic results.