What are the effects of dogtail grass

Dogtail grass is very common in the fields. Its shape is similar to that of wheat ears and is very ornamental. Many people do not know much about dogtail grass and think it is just a plant, generally used to feed cattle, donkeys, sheep and other animals. In fact, dogtail grass has good medicinal value. It can clear the liver and improve eyesight, clear away heat, detoxify and promote diuresis. Its branches and stems can also be used as fodder for making fire. It has a wide range of effects.

Feeding value

The stalks and leaves of dogtail grass can be used as feed and are a favorite food of cattle, donkeys, horses and sheep. The hay in autumn can also be used as fuel to make fire, boil water, cook, keep warm and make beds. Furfural can be extracted from the spikelets. The whole plant contains 2.6% crude fat, 10.27% crude protein, 34.55% nitrogen-free extract, 34.40% crude fiber and 10.60% crude ash. After boiling the whole herb with water for 20 minutes, the filtrate can be sprayed to kill vegetable insects.

Medicinal value

Function and indications

Clears away heat and dampness; dispels wind and improves eyesight; detoxifies; kills insects. It is used to treat wind-heat cold, jaundice, infantile malnutrition, dysentery, painful and difficult urination, red and painful eyes, red and swollen eyes, carbuncle, common warts, and sores and ringworms. [3]

1. "Compendium of Materia Medica": It can treat warts and hair growths. Piercing the warts will dry them out. For those with red eyes and inverted eyelashes, turn the eyelid over and use one or two stems dipped in water to remove the bad blood.

2. "Supplement to Compendium of Materia Medica": Treats carbuncle, tinea and ringworm. If you have ringworm on your face, take the stems of the herb and rub them until they are soft, then rub them from time to time.

3. "Guizhou Folk Prescriptions and Medicines Collection": relieves fever and treats eye diseases. It is also used to treat warts.

4. "Luchuan Materia Medica": removes dampness and reduces swelling. Treat impetigo.

5. "Chongqing Herbal Medicine": Treats eye diseases such as tearing and fogging.

Dosage

For internal use: decoct in water, 2-4 qian (1-2 liang for fresh ones). For external use: decoct in water for washing or mash for application.

Additional prescription

1. To treat long-term vision problems: grind dogtail grass into powder and take it with steamed sheep liver. (Classification of Herbal Properties)

2. Treatment of wool scrofula (also known as wool sha): Take a decoction of dogtail grass orally, prick the red scrofula with a silver needle, and use hemp thread to squeeze out the white silk in the scrofula that is like wool, otherwise it will swell to death. (Zhou Yisheng's Family Prescription)

Pharmacological Action

The antigen extract (concentration 1:100) was made from Setaria pollen and 0.02 ml was injected intradermally into asthma patients.

Setaria

Those >5mm and surrounded by red halo were considered positive, with a positive rate of 74.4% (163/219). For 25 cases with positive reaction to Setaria pollen antigen, the histamine release rate of alkaliphilic cells (HRBT) was determined by small amount of whole blood method using Setaria pollen as antigen, and the total serum IgE was determined at the same time. Results The positive rate of HRBT was 88% (22/25 cases), and serum total IgE was elevated in 20 cases (positive rate 80%). This suggests that Setaria viridis pollen is an important allergen.