Mesona
Encyclopedia
Mesona is a genus
in the mint family (Lamiaceae).
Exemplar species in this genus are Mesona procumbens Hemsley and Mesona chinensis
, generically called xiancao (仙草) in Mandarin Chinese, sian-chháu in Taiwanese, and leung fan cao (涼粉草) in Cantonese, sương sáo in Vietnamese
.
It is said to be a diuretic
, used in Taiwan
as a hot, viscous drink, or set as a gel and served as a grass jelly
.
In Indonesia
the Mesona pelutris bl leaf is used to make a black jelly; there is also an instant powder variety available.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
in the mint family (Lamiaceae).
Exemplar species in this genus are Mesona procumbens Hemsley and Mesona chinensis
Mesona chinensis
Mesona chinensis is a species of plants belonging to the genus Mesona of the mint family. The species grows extensively in East Asia such as south east China and Taiwan preferring ravines, grassy, dry, and sandy areas. The plants are from 15–100 cm high with hairy stems and leaves...
, generically called xiancao (仙草) in Mandarin Chinese, sian-chháu in Taiwanese, and leung fan cao (涼粉草) in Cantonese, sương sáo in Vietnamese
Vietnamese language
Vietnamese is the national and official language of Vietnam. It is the mother tongue of 86% of Vietnam's population, and of about three million overseas Vietnamese. It is also spoken as a second language by many ethnic minorities of Vietnam...
.
It is said to be a diuretic
Diuretic
A diuretic provides a means of forced diuresis which elevates the rate of urination. There are several categories of diuretics. All diuretics increase the excretion of water from bodies, although each class does so in a distinct way.- Medical uses :...
, used in Taiwan
Taiwanese cuisine
Taiwanese cuisine has several variations. In addition to the following representative dishes from the people of Hoklo ethnicity , there are also Aboriginal, Hakka, and local derivatives of Chinese cuisines .Taiwanese cuisine itself is often associated with influences from mid to southern...
as a hot, viscous drink, or set as a gel and served as a grass jelly
Grass jelly
Grass jelly, or Leaf jelly, is a jelly-like dessert found in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Southeast Asia. It is sold in cans or packets in Asian supermarkets.-Preparation:...
.
In Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
the Mesona pelutris bl leaf is used to make a black jelly; there is also an instant powder variety available.