The efficacy of calla lilies lies in their detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and hemostatic properties. Are you keen on delving deeper into the myriad benefits and functions of calla lilies? Let’s peruse the following article to gain a better understanding! Calla lilies play a pivotal role in maintaining the balance of carbon dioxide and oxygen, ameliorating microclimates, mitigating noise, conserving water sources, and regulating humidity. Moreover, they boast additional functions such as dust absorption and air purification. Employing calla lilies in landscaping endeavors not only enhances the visual aesthetics but also serves as a harmonious amalgamation of botanical landscaping and ecological conservation. While lacking flamboyant blossoms or fruits, garden calla lilies captivate admirers with their graceful stature, elegant foliage, and vibrant hues. Exhibiting an erect herbaceous habit, calla lilies boast robust stems and lush foliage reminiscent of tropical rainforests. Their lush, glossy leaves exude an aura of vitality and freshness, imparting a sense of rejuvenation and vitality. Adorned in pristine emerald green, the foliage exudes natural charm and allure. Possessing remarkable resilience, calla lilies thrive in adverse conditions, exhibiting tolerance to waterlogged environments, high temperatures, dust-laden atmospheres, and poor ventilation. Resistant to neglect, they exhibit rapid growth, minimal susceptibility to pests and diseases, and a natural resistance to weed proliferation. Their vigorous growth facilitates the rapid augmentation of urban green spaces, thereby enhancing landscape aesthetics, ecological benefits, air purification, erosion control, and groundwater replenishment. With low cost and the ability to be admired for years with just one planting, the agapanthus is a plant worth widespread promotion and application. The landscaping effects generated by agapanthus are unique, whether they are combined with other plants, garden ornaments, or used in solitary landscaping, they yield excellent visual results. Agapanthus can be planted in groups to showcase their collective beauty or individually to highlight their individual charm. It is noteworthy that the medicinal rhizomes of agapanthus are effective for ailments such as abdominal pain, cholera, and hernia. They are also utilized in treating tuberculosis, rheumatoid arthritis, tracheitis, influenza, typhoid fever, rheumatic heart disease, as well as external treatments for abscesses, swelling, and venomous bites. When applied externally, coal oil is used to treat neurodermatitis. Veterinarians use it to treat cattle with colds and swine with erysipelas. However, caution must be exercised as this product is toxic; it must be decocted for a prolonged period and the water changed 2-3 times before consumption. Contact with fresh grass juice can cause itching on the skin, and accidental ingestion of stems or leaves can lead to itching and swelling of the throat and tongue, drooling, abdominal burning pain, nausea, diarrhea, convulsions, and in severe cases, suffocation and cardiac paralysis leading to death. Folk remedies include boiling vinegar with a little ginger juice for internal consumption or gargling to detoxify. The stems and rhizomes of agapanthus have the following properties: pungent, cold, and toxic. They clear heat and toxins, dissipate swelling and disperses masses, and promote granulation tissue formation. They are used for high fever, influenza, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, rheumatoid arthritis, nasal congestion, and runny nose; externally for abscesses, swelling, and venomous bites from insects or snakes. Characteristics: pungent, warm, toxic. According to “Compendium of Materia Medica”: pungent, highly toxic. According to “Guangxi Chinese Materia Medica”: bland taste, cold nature, highly toxic. According to “Sichuan Chinese Materia Medica”: warm nature, pungent taste, highly toxic. Functions and treatments: To address malaria, severe diarrhea, typhoid fever, rheumatic pain, hernia, abnormal vaginal discharge, abscesses and swellings, atrophic rhinitis, lymphadenitis, carbuncles, boils, scabies, snake and dog bites. According to the “Compendium,” it treats malaria, swellings due to poison, and dermatitis caused by wind. As per the “Classification of Medicinal Properties of Herbs,” it is used for all kinds of malignant ulcers and swellings, to be applied topically with wine. The “Compendium of Materia Medica from the Tianbao Era” recommends its use for treating boils and scabies. “Guangxi Chinese Materia Medica” suggests it for treating pulmonary tuberculosis, heatstroke, and other febrile diseases. “Sichuan Chinese Materia Medica” recommends it for treating internal and external hemorrhoids. Recommended reading: Guidelines for the Placement of Feng Shui Fresh Flowers.
Introduction to Alocasia: Alocasia (scientific name: Alocasia macrorrhiza) belongs to the Araceae family, a perennial herbaceous plant. It has a chromosome number of 2n=2x=26. The stem is stout, reaching up to 3m in height, with leaves clustered at the stem apex. The leaf blade is lanceolate-ovate in shape, and the inflorescence is slightly shorter than the spathe, with female flowers at the lower part and male flowers at the upper part. It is found in Southern and Western China, as well as Taiwan, and also distributed in Southeast Asia. It prefers warm, moist, and semi-shaded environments, with a suitable growth temperature of 20-25°C and a winter temperature of 10-15°C. In summer, potted plants should be partially shaded. It is cultivated in general garden soil mixed with peat, sand or turf soil, and leaf mold. Propagation is done through division, cutting, and seeding. Alocasia is a large ornamental foliage plant, suitable for cultivation in large pots or wooden barrels, ideal for decorating large halls or indoor gardens, and can also be planted in tropical botanical gardens, presenting a magnificent sight. Many people mistake Alocasia for taro, but they are different. The rhizome is rich in starch and can be used as an industrial substitute, but it is not edible as it is toxic. Alocasia is poisonous. It must be fried with rice until it turns brown and then decocted for a long time (over 2 hours) to remove toxins before internal consumption. Insufficient duration of boiling or steeping can induce oral edema and paresthesia, potentially leading to symptoms of central nervous system toxicity. Mild cases may be ameliorated with the ingestion of rice vinegar or raw ginger to counteract the effects. (Feng Shui)
