Millettia reticulata
Ji Xue Teng
a deciduous member of the Millettia genus in the family Leguminosae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Leguminosae
- Genus
- Millettia
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Height
- 5 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Ji Xue Teng is classified in Chinese herbalism as a plant that invigorates the blood. It is used mainly to treat menstrual problems, relieving pain and normalizing an irregular or absent cycle[5]. The roots and the vines are emmenagogue and stomachic[1]. A decoction is used in the treatment of stomach aches, breathlessness, anaemia in women, menstrual irregularities, vaginal discharge (bloody discharge and leucorrhoea), numbness and paralysis, backache and pain in the knees, seminal emission, gonorrhoea and stomach ache[1][2]. The plant is used as a tonic to induce the growth of red blood cells[1][4]. The plant contains the antitumour compound rotenone[4].
- Product or use
- Emmenagogue
- Product or use
- Miscellany
- Product or use
- Oxytoxic
- Product or use
- Stomachic
- Product or use
- Tonic
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The plant contains rotenone, which is used as an insecticide[4].
- Product or use
- Insecticide
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Climber
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - S. China.
- Habitat
- Damp shady places[1]. Thickets on slopes and in valleys at elevations of 100 - 950 metres[6].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 8+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and sow in a greenhouse in spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Layering in spring. Cuttings of half-ripe wood with the leaves removed, July/August in moist sand in a frame[3].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Succeeds in full sun in a fertile moisture-retentive but well-drained soil[3]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c and down to about -15°c when given the protection of a warm sunny wall[3]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[3].
References
? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X
Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148
Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/