Chinese Dodder

Cuscuta chinensis

Physical Characteristics

Cuscuta chinensis is a PERENNIAL. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

Aphrodisiac Demulcent Diaphoretic Hepatic Kidney Ophthalmic Tonic A lotion made from the stems is used in the treatment of sore heads and inflamed eyes[218]. The seed is aphrodisiac, demulcent, diaphoretic, hepatic and tonic[176, 178, 218, 240]. It is decocted and used with other herbs to treat a variety of ailments[218]. In particular, it is used in the treatment of impotence, nocturnal emissions, vertigo, lumbago, leucorrhoea, frequent micturation, decreased eyesight, threatened abortion and chronic diarrhoea[176].

Known Hazards

None known