As one of China's traditional and precious medicinal materials, sweet flag has the wonderful effect of being both medicinal and edible. In nature, there are also many plants that are relatives of sweet flag, and their medicinal value and beauty are no less than that of sweet flag. Today, let's look for the relatives of sweet flag together and explore their mysteries.
Bulrush – Nourishes yin, clears heat, promotes urination, detoxifies, and softens masses
Bulrush, also known as small scallion, often grows in the mud by the water. Its similarity to sweet flag is that they are both perennial herbaceous plants with arrow-shaped leaves and spike-like inflorescences. However, the stem of bulrush is more slender and flexible than that of sweet flag, and its flavor is more fragrant. It can nourish yin, clear heat, promote urination, detoxify, and soften masses.
Astragalus – Tonifies Qi, secures the exterior, and enhances immunity
Astragalus, also known as Huangqi, licorice, or thousand-day red. Its similarity to sweet flag is that they are both perennial herbaceous plants. However, the leaves of Astragalus are more slender than those of sweet flag, and its petals are yellow. Astragalus has the effects of tonifying Qi, securing the exterior, and enhancing immunity, and is widely used in the formulas of Chinese medicine preparations.
Aconite – Relieves pain, stops spasms, expels wind, and eliminates dampness
Aconite, also known as Heifuzi or Wugong Fuzi, is a perennial herbaceous plant. Its similarity to sweet flag is that its leaves are also arrow-shaped and its inflorescence is spike-like. However, Aconite presents a striking black color and has the effects of relieving pain, stopping spasms, expelling wind, and eliminating dampness. It can be used to treat joint pain, neurogenic headache, and other diseases.
Knotweed – Relieves summer heat, detoxifies, moistens the intestines, and promotes bowel movements
Knotweed, also known as Gouluo or Yeluobo. Its similarity to sweet flag is that they are both perennial herbaceous plants with arrow-shaped leaves and spike-like inflorescences. However, the taste of knotweed is relatively light, and it has the effects of relieving summer heat, detoxifying, moistening the intestines, and promoting bowel movements. It can also be eaten as a vegetable, and its taste is delicious when stir-fried.
Perilla – Relieves summer heat, expels dampness, and beautifies the skin
Perilla, also known as Xiangru or Peilan. Its similarity to sweet flag is that they are both perennial herbaceous plants. However, the leaves of Perilla are a striking purple or green, and it has the effects of relieving summer heat, expelling dampness, and beautifying the skin. It can be made into herbal tea, salads, etc., which not only tastes fresh but can also enhance the body's immunity.
Hawthorn – Strengthens the spleen, aids digestion, relieves asthma, and stops coughing
Hawthorn, also known as Suanzao or Yuanfeiguo. Its similarity to sweet flag is that they are both perennial herbaceous plants. However, hawthorn has the effects of strengthening the spleen, aiding digestion, relieving asthma, and stopping coughing. It can be used to treat stomach diseases, liver diseases, etc., and can also be made into jam, juice, etc.
Angelica dahurica – Relieves the exterior, dispels cold, expels wind, and alleviates pain
Angelica dahurica, also known as Caoxiang or Liangchahua. Its similarity to sweet flag is that they are both perennial herbaceous plants. However, the leaves of Angelica dahurica are white, and it has the effects of relieving the exterior, dispelling cold, expelling wind, and alleviating pain. It can be used to treat colds, wind-cold headaches, and other diseases.
Lotus Root – Nourishes yin, moistens dryness, resists aging, and protects the liver
Lotus root, also known as Heye or Lianzixin. Its similarity to sweet flag is that they are both perennial herbaceous plants with arrow-shaped leaves and spike-like inflorescences. However, lotus root has the effects of nourishing yin, moistening dryness, resisting aging, and protecting the liver. It can be made into medicinal meals, desserts, etc., which are not only delicious but also have good health benefits.
Licorice – Transforms dampness, expels toxins, moistens the throat, and stops coughing
Licorice, also known as Gansui or Gancao Gen. Its similarity to sweet flag is that they are both perennial herbaceous plants. However, licorice has the effects of transforming dampness, expelling toxins, moistening the throat, and stopping coughing. It can be used to treat hepatitis, oral ulcers, and other diseases, and can also be made into chewing gum, candy, etc.
Solomon's Seal – Nourishes the liver and kidneys, and improves immunity
Solomon's seal, also known as Chaoxian Huangqi or Lurongcao. Its similarity to sweet flag is that they are both perennial herbaceous plants. However, Solomon's seal has the effects of nourishing the liver and kidneys, and improving immunity. It can be used to treat male infertility, female irregular menstruation, and other diseases, and can also be made into nourishing soups, medicinal wines, etc.
Chrysanthemum – Clears heat, detoxifies, lowers blood pressure, and lowers lipids
Chrysanthemum, also known as Jinhua or Yanghua. Its similarity to sweet flag is that they are both perennial herbaceous plants. However, chrysanthemum has the effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, lowering blood pressure, and lowering lipids. It can be used to treat high blood pressure, high blood lipids, and other diseases, and can also be made into tea, pastries, etc.
Mung Bean – Clears heat, detoxifies, reduces fire, and eliminates dampness
Mung bean, also known as Qingdou or Jindou. Its similarity to sweet flag is that they are both perennial herbaceous plants. However, mung bean has the effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, reducing fire, and eliminating dampness. It can be used to treat fever, dry mouth, and other symptoms, and can also be made into soup, porridge, etc.
Bitter Melon – Clears heat, detoxifies, and lowers blood sugar
Bitter melon, also known as Lianggua or Nanguaku. Its similarity to sweet flag is that they are both perennial herbaceous plants. However, bitter melon has the effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, and lowering blood sugar. It can be used to treat diabetes, high blood pressure, and other diseases, and can also be made into dishes, soups, etc.
Longan – Tonifies the spleen and kidneys, brightens the eyes, and beautifies the complexion
Longan, also known as Guiyuan or Yuanrou. Its similarity to sweet flag is that they are both perennial herbaceous plants. However, longan has the effects of tonifying the spleen and kidneys, brightening the eyes, and beautifying the complexion. It can be used to treat kidney deficiency, anemia, and other diseases, and can also be made into glutinous rice, desserts, etc.
Goji Berry – Nourishes the liver and kidneys, brightens the eyes, and moistens the skin
Goji berry, also known as Dilong or Shanyurui. Its similarity to sweet flag is that they are both perennial herbaceous plants. However, goji berry has the effects of nourishing the liver and kidneys, brightening the eyes, and moistening the skin. It can be used to treat liver diseases, eye diseases, and other diseases, and can also be made into health wine, pastries, etc.
The relatives of sweet flag are found all over nature, and their medicinal value and beauty are comparable to that of sweet flag. By looking for the relatives of sweet flag, we can better understand and learn the mysteries of plants. At the same time, we can also discover some suitable herbal plants to improve our health and beauty.