Equisetum Hiemale (Long tubular, hollow with nodes, unbranched, grayish-green, with many straight longitudinal ridges, cylindrical brown scaly leaves at the nodes, light and brittle)

【Naming】

Equisetum Hiemale

 【Source】

Song Jiayou Era

 【Common Usage Level】

C

 【Botanical Origin】

The dried aerial part of Equisetaceae Equisetum hiemale L.

 【Characteristics】

The stem is long and tubular, hollow with distinct nodes and no branching. It is 30~60㎝ long and about 5㎜ in diameter, with each node being 3~6㎝ long. The surface is grayish-green or yellowish-green, with many straight longitudinal ridges densely covered with fine prickles, giving a rustling, rough feel when touched. At the nodes, there are cylindrical dark brown scaly leaves, forming two black rings like leaf sheaths, easily detached from the nodes. It is brittle and easily broken, with a hollow cross-section containing thin, grayish-white or light green flakes. It has no odor, a sweet taste, and is slightly astringent.
Prepared slices are small, hollow, cylindrical tubes about 5㎝ long. Both the inner and outer walls of the tube are yellowish-green, and the outer wall has many straight longitudinal ridges. The edge of the cross-section forms a chain-like circle of small holes. Rubbing the surface by hand gives a sandpaper-like roughness. It has no odor and no taste.

 【Identification】

《Ben Cao Zheng Yao》: “Equisetum Hiemale is best when the nodes are removed”.
It is best to use stems that are thick and long, green in color, thick in texture, and do not detach at the nodes.

 【Category】

Whole Herb