The efficacy and function of madder vine

Rubia cordifolia is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. This type of medicine can cover many aspects of disease treatment, so before choosing Rubia cordifolia, you must have a good understanding of it. Let us introduce it in detail below.

[Source] Medicinal material source: The above-ground part of Rubia cordifolia, a plant of the Rubiaceae family.

[Original form] Rubia cordifolia, a perennial climbing herb. The roots grow in clusters of several to dozens, with purple-red or orange-red skin. The stem is quadrangular, with many inverted small thorns on the ridges. The leaves are arranged in four whorls and have long petioles; the shape of the leaves varies greatly, ranging from ovate, triangular ovate, broad ovate to narrow ovate, 2-6cm long, 1-4cm wide, usually acute at the apex, cordate at the base, rough on the upper side, with barbs along the midrib and petiole on the lower side, entire, with 5 basal veins. The cymes are paniculate, axillary and terminal; the flowers are small, yellow-white, and 5-merous; the calyx is not obvious; the corolla is radiate, about 4mm in diameter, 5-lobed, the lobes are ovate-triangular, and the apex is acute; there are 5 stamens, attached to the corolla tube; the ovary is inferior, 2-chambered, and glabrous. The berries are spherical, 5-6mm in diameter, and turn red to black. The flowering period is from June to September, and the fruiting period is from August to October. .

[Habitat distribution] Herba Rubiae Cordifoliae is produced in Sichuan, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Zhejiang and other places. Produce and sell by yourself.

[Properties] Property identification: The lower end of the dried stem is about 3-4mm thick, round in shape, and the outer surface is light purple or brownish red; the upper end of the stem is square, withered green, and there are rough and fine burrs on the edges of the stem. It is light, brittle, easy to break, has a smooth cross section, and the inside is white and loose. The leaves are arranged in whorls on the stem nodes, and there are barbed hairs on the petioles and the mid-ribs on the back of the leaves. Most leaves fall off. It has a faint smell and a slightly bitter taste. The best ones are those with uniform strips, red-purple outer skin and yellow-red inner core.

【Chemical composition】 The whole plant contains rubifolic acid and rubicounlaric acid.

[Processing] Take the original medicinal materials, remove impurities, wash and soften, cut into sections, dry, and sieve out the ash. Properties of medicinal materials: A mixture of stems and leaves in segmented form. The stem is square columnar, wrinkled gray-green, with 4 obvious longitudinal ridges, sparse barbs on the ridges, and the cut surface is white or hollow. The leaves are gray-green or reddish-brown, with rough hairs on the upper surface and barbs on the veins and petioles below. Slight odor and light taste. Store in a dry container in a ventilated and dry place.

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter; Cool; Non-toxic

【Channel】 Heart; liver; kidney; large intestine; small intestine; pericardium meridian

【Functions and indications】Hemostasis; promoting blood circulation. It is used to treat vomiting blood, hemorrhage, traumatic injury, rheumatism, lumbago, carbuncle, and swelling.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 9-15g, fresh product 30-60g; or soaked in wine. For external use: take appropriate amount, decoct in water for washing; or mash and apply on the affected area.

【Note】 Sichuan Traditional Chinese Medicine Annals, 1960 edition: "It is contraindicated for patients with blood deficiency, fever, diarrhea and no blood stasis."

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Rubia cordifolia not only has many functions, but also has many ways of consumption in our lives, so it is loved by many people.