What does the jaundice tree look like?

Jaundice tree is actually a traditional Chinese medicine name, not a tree, it is the stem and root of Berberaceae plant Lushan Berberis. But in the daily address, Lushan Berberis is also called jaundice tree. So what does Lushan berberis look like?

I. the appearance of jaundiced trees

Jaundiced tree is a deciduous shrub, generally up to 2-3 meters high, with branched stems, grayish yellow branches, distinct edges, spines, usually solitary, but occasionally trifurcated. The leaves are thin and papery, with an oblong rhombus, spreading leaf margin, and sometimes slightly wavy; racemes, pedicels thin and glabrous, usually with yellow florets. Its fruit is oblong and oval in shape and turns red when ripe.

Jaundice trees are widely distributed in China, such as Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian and many other southern provinces. They are generally born in mountain shrubs, riversides, forests or villages at an altitude of 1800 meters. There are about 500 species of Berberis in the same genus and 200 species in China. It is not easy to distinguish whether they are jaundiced trees when they encounter Berberis in the wild.

Second, the medicinal value of icteric tree.

Lushan Berberis is generally used in medicine with stems and roots, which are named jaundice trees in traditional Chinese medicine after being processed. In modern pharmacological research, as long as the pharmacological ingredient of icteric tree is berberine, the root contains 1.52% and the stem and branch contains 0.98% (all in terms of hydrochloric acid). Jaundiced trees can be picked all year round, but they are generally best picked in spring and autumn. The processing method is to cut off branches, leaves and whiskers, scrape off part of the cork and dry it.

In traditional Chinese medicine, jaundice tree tastes bitter, cold but non-toxic. It has a good effect of clearing away heat and detoxification, and is often used to treat symptoms such as damp-heat diarrhea, jaundice and cholecystitis. The common way to take it is to take decoction for internal use, 9g to 15g. Appropriate amount for external use, pan-fry and wash.

The above is some relevant knowledge about the jaundice tree. When identifying the jaundice tree in the field, it is generally based on its trunk and stem as the main distinguishing feature; when carrying out the medicinal use of the jaundice tree, it is best to carry out according to the doctor's advice.