Perennial herbaceous plant, 1-1.2m. high. Rootstock horizontal, stout, whitish, strangled at the nodes. Leaves stalkless, narrow, 5-10-verticillate with a long, sharp and curling tip.
Liliaceae
Polygonatum kingianum Coll. et Hemsl.
Local names:
Description:
Perennial herbaceous plant, 1-1.2m. high. Rootstock horizontal, stout, whitish, strangled at the nodes. Leaves stalkless, narrow, 5-10-verticillate with a long, sharp and curling tip. Flowers red, in pairs, drooping in the axils. Berry oval, violet-blue when ripe.
Flowering period:
March - May.
Distribution:
Found wild in the highlands above 1200m.
Parts used:
The rhizomes, collected in autumn, are well washed, steam-cooked, then dried in the sun or in ovens. Before use, they are boiled with molasses then dried. This process is repeated 9 times.
Chemical composition:
The rhizomes contain mucilage, starch and sugars.
Therapeutic uses:
The rhizome is considered as a tonic and has a beneficial effect in the treatment of pulmonary diseases, dry cough and heamoptysis. It relieves general debility, lumbago and rheumatic pains. It is available in the form of a powder, decoction or alcoholic maceration. The usual dose is 12 to 20 g per day.