The efficacy and function of Xiaohongpao

Xiaohongpao is a very common traditional Chinese medicine. Although it is very common, it has many magical effects. Let’s take a look at it below.

【Other names】 Five-leaf vine, May vine, Earth star

[Source] Medicinal material source: the whole herb of the Umbelliferae plant.

[Original form] Perennial herb, 16-30cm high. Stolons short; stems erect or procumbent, weak, glabrous, unbranched. Leaves are alternate; petioles are slender, 3.5-13cm long; leaves are herbaceous, cordate-round, 2-4cm long, 4-6cm wide, 5-7-lobed, with the clefts deep below the middle and almost at right angles; the middle lobe is ovate-lanceolate, the middle and lower parts are nearly equal in width, the margins are sparsely and irregularly serrated, the teeth are upright or slightly outward; the lobes on both sides are slightly shorter than the middle lobe; the surface is dark green, densely covered with coarse hairs, the back is light green, smooth and hairless; the veins are palmate. The umbels are solitary at the top of the stem, opposite to or in the axils of the leaves; the involucral bracts are small, slightly purple-brown; the small-distinct inflorescence has 20-28 flowers; the flowers are white; the petals are ovate; the style recurves outward when the fruit is ripe. The fruit is heart-shaped and oval, about 1.2 mm long and 2 mm wide. Flowering and fruiting period is July-August.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Grown in shady and humid areas such as hillsides, roadsides, forest edges, grasslands, etc. at an altitude of about 2350m.

[Properties] Property identification: This product is mostly wrinkled, with thin and curved stems, smooth and hairless, 16-30cm long, and unbranched. The leaves are alternate, mostly wrinkled, and the complete leaves are heart-shaped and round, 2-4cm long, 4-6cm wide, 5-7 lobed, the middle lobe is oblong or ovate-lanceolate, with sparse and irregular serrations on the edges. The surface is usually dark green and densely covered with coarse hairs, while the back is light green, smooth and hairless; the leaf veins are palmate and hairy at the base; the petiole is thin and weak, 3.5-13cm long. Crisp texture. Slight odor, light taste.

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter; pungent; warm

【Functions and indications】 Expel wind and dampness; promote blood circulation and relieve pain; stop malaria. It is used for rheumatic pain, numbness of limbs, asthma and cough in children, swelling and pain caused by falls, fractures, and malaria.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 3-9g; or soaked in wine. For external use: take appropriate amount and mash it for application.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Through the introduction in the above article, I believe everyone has a certain understanding of Xiaohongpao. This is a medicinal material we are very familiar with, but it has many medicinal properties and functions. Therefore, I hope everyone will consume it based on their own situation.