Millettia generally refer to millettia speciosa champ (MSCP), is a medicinal and edible plant, MSCP is known as "Niu da li" in China, meaning powerful like a bull. Its roots are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine and is regarded as the source of nature's power. Its unique shape and excellent efficacy make it uniquely famous in the field of traditional Chinese medicine.
Habitat
MSCP is mainly grown in high-altitude mountainous areas in southwest China. Distributed throughout the south of the Yangtze River Basin, mainly found in Guangxi, Guangdong, and Hainan Provinces of China.
Appearance
Millettia speciosa exhibits a unique shape, makes it easily identifiable. The roots are cylindrical or spindle-shaped, light yellow, slightly rough, and have ring patterns. The skin is white with faint brown rings on the inside, and the middle part is powdery and loose. Aged roots are tough, while young roots are brittle. They have a mild smell and slightly sweet taste. The best roots are large, white, powdery, and sweet. They are usually washed, sliced and dried.
Nutrient content
The main chemical constituents of Millettia speciosa are:
- polysaccharides,
- flavonoids,
- alkaloids,
- terpenoids, and
- phenylpropanoids
Natural minerals
Peptides and Amino Acids
Millettia speciosa contains a variety of peptides and amino acids, which have good nutritional value and are useful for increasing physical strength and improving immunity.
Health benefits
Weight control
Mice study shown flavonoid-enriched extract from M. speciosa reduces body weight gain, liver weight gain, inguinal white adipocyte tissue and blood glucose in high fat diet-induced obese mice, likely by reducing triglyceride which is the major type of fat of dietary fats [1].
Liver health
Mice study shown flavonoid-enriched extract also reduces alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotrans-ferase (AST), which both associates with liver problems. It also reduces the inflammatory- related adipokines IL- 6 and TNF- α in high- fat diet induced obese mice [1].
Intestine health
Mice study shown Millettia Speciosa Champ polysaccharide (MSCP) was found to enhance intestinal health and modulate the host's immune system. It restored mucosal integrity, regulated intestinal immune-related genes, and activated TLRs/MyD88/NF-kB p65 pathways. Additionally, MSCP reversed short-chain fatty acid levels and restored gut microbial dysbiosis caused by Cyclophosphamide. The study confirmed that MSCP effectively improved body weight, protected immune organs, and enhanced the production of immune-related cytokines [2].
Antioxidant
While both rhizome and radix make up the root, the antioxidant activities of the radix were higher than the rhizome, but also only the radix has been used as a food. Study shown uvaol-3-caffeate, 3-O-caffeoyloleanolic acid, and khrinone E were the main active markers for antioxidant activity [3].
Cancer
Studies have shown the potential of Millettia speciosa in treating cancer [2] [4].
Traditional Chinese Medicine Applications
Tonifying kidney and replenishing essence
Physical fitness
Anti-Aging
The peptides and amino acids in it are considered to be helpful in anti-aging and help maintain the elasticity and vitality of the skin.
Where can I buy?
Millettia speciosa mainly as produced as dried form, but fresh ones can also be found in Chinese medicine stores. Choose larger, lighter colored dried ones for sweeter soup.
How to use?
Soup
Millettia and Pork Bone Soup
Cut the millettia into slices vigorously, then add an appropriate amount of Smilax glabra and pork bones into the pot, simmer over low heat for two hours, and finally add some seasonings for example salt and sugar to adjust the taste.
Beef and goji chicken soup
Cut half a chicken into pieces, wash an appropriate amount of millettia and goji , add into a boil together with water and boil for 2 hours and simmer for two hours at low heat. Add some seasonings for example salt and sugar to adjust the taste.
Takeaway
Millettia speciosa is classified as a Chinese medicinal material derived from nature, although has various benefits and common in making soup, it is best to use them under the advice of a professional doctor or Chinese medicine practitioner to ensure that they are safe and effective.
Reference
[1] Wang, M., Ma, W., Wang, Q., Yang, Q., Yan, X., Tang, H., Li, Z., Li, Y., Shen, F., & Wang, Z. (2021). Flavonoid‐enriched extract from Millettia speciosa Champ prevents obesity by regulating thermogenesis and lipid metabolism in high‐fat diet–induced obese C57BL/6 mice. Food Science & Nutrition, 10(2), 445–459. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.2664
[2] Chen, X., Sun, W., Xu, B., Wu, E., Cui, Y., Hao, K., Zhang, G., Zhou, C., Xu, Y., Jiang, L., & Si, H. (2021). Polysaccharides from the roots of Millettia speciosa champ modulate gut health and ameliorate Cyclophosphamide-Induced intestinal injury and immunosuppression. Frontiers in Immunology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2021.766296
[3] Zhang, J., Wang, J., Wang, Y., Chen, M., Shi, X., Zhou, X., & Zhang, Z. (2022). Phytochemistry and Antioxidant Activities of the Rhizome and Radix of Millettia speciosa Based on UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS. Molecules/Molecules Online/Molecules Annual, 27(21), 7398. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27217398
[4] Lai, L., Zong, M., Huang, Z., Ni, Z., Xu, P., & Lou, W. (2023). Purification, structural elucidation and biological activities of exopolysaccharide produced by the endophytic Penicillium javanicum from Millettia speciosa Champ. Journal of Biotechnology, 362, 54–62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiotec.2022.12.008