Tall plant, 1m. or over in height, woody at the base. Young twigs and petioles violet-purple, pubescent. Leaves alternate, denticulate, covered with silver-white hairs beneath. Inflorescence in axillary panicle; flowers unisexual, monoecious. Achene with accrescent calyx.
Urticaceae
Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaud.
Local names:
English names:
Ramie grass, China grass, false nettle, Chinese silk-plant, Chinese nettle.
Description:
Tall plant, 1m. or over in height, woody at the base. Young twigs and petioles violet-purple, pubescent. Leaves alternate, denticulate, covered with silver-white hairs beneath. Inflorescence in axillary panicle; flowers unisexual, monoecious. Achene with accrescent calyx.
Flowering period:
November - February.
Distribution:
Cultivated everywhere. Leaves used for making cakes, stem bark for textiles and roots for medicinal purposes.
Parts used:
Roots. The plants can be taken all the year round, especially in winter. After separating from the plant, the roots are carefully washed, then cut into chips and spread in thin layers for drying in the sun or in dryers.
Chemical composition:
The roots contain the flavonoid rutin. The whole plant yields cyanhydric acid and the seeds provide a fatty oil.
Therapeutic uses:
The root possesses antibacterial and diuretic properties. It is prescribed in the therapy of threatened abortion, colic of pregnancy, metroptosis, metritis, haemorrhoids, leucorrhoea, pollakiuria, chyluria, haematuria, furunculosis and impetigo. The daily dosage is 12 to 20g in the form of a decoction, powder or pills. The cure for pregnancy colic takes only 2 to 3 days. The fresh root is pounded and applied externally as a poultice. The decoction is used as a wash.