The efficacy and function of Polygonum multiflorum

In modern life, everyone is very familiar with various Chinese herbal medicines, among which Polygonum multiflorum is a very common one. So what are the effects and functions of Polygonum multiflorum? Let’s take a look.

【English name】 RHIZOMA BISTORTAE

[Other names] Purple ginseng, grass river cart, knife-cut medicine, copper Luo, shrimp ginseng, ground shrimp, mountain shrimp

[Source] This product is the dried rhizome of Polygonum bistorta L., a plant of the Polygonaceae family. Dig it up when it sprouts in early spring or when the stems and leaves are about to wither in autumn, remove the mud and sand, dry it in the sun, and remove the fibrous roots.

[Properties] This product is in the shape of a long flat strip or a flat cylinder and is curved, with slightly pointed ends or one end gradually tapering, and some are curled together, 6 to 13 cm long and 1 to 2.5 cm in diameter. The surface is purple-brown or purple-black, rough, with one side raised and the other side slightly flat or slightly grooved. The whole body is densely covered with coarse ring marks and has residual rootlets or root marks. It is hard, with a light brown or reddish brown cross section, and the vascular bundles are yellow-white dots arranged in rings. Odorless, bitter and astringent taste.

【Identification】 (1) The powder of this product is light brown-red. The cork cells are polygonal and contain brown-red substances. There are many calcium oxalate clusters, with diameters ranging from 15 to 65 μm. The diameter of the marginated pit ducts is 20 to 55 μm, and there are also reticular and spiral ducts. The fibers are long and fusiform, 10 to 20 μm in diameter, with thick walls, lignified, and obvious pores. Starch granules are elliptical, oval or quasi-circular, with a diameter of 5 to 12 μm.

[Processing] Remove impurities, wash, soak briefly, moisten thoroughly, cut into thin slices, and dry.

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter, astringent, slightly cold.

[entry into meridians] Enter the lung, liver and large intestine meridians.

【Functions and indications】 Clears away heat and detoxifies, reduces swelling and stops bleeding. Used for dysentery, hot diarrhea, lung heat cough, carbuncle, scrofula, mouth and tongue ulcers, vomiting blood, epistaxis, hemorrhoidal bleeding, and snake bites.

【Usage and Dosage】 4.5～9g. For external use, apply in appropriate amount.

【Storage】 Store in a dry place.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Pharmacopoeia

【Source】《Compendium of Materia Medica》

This article introduces to us what is Polygonum multiflorum. We know that Polygonum multiflorum has very high medicinal effects, but we must remind everyone that Polygonum multiflorum should generally not be eaten indiscriminately, otherwise it will cause serious consequences. I hope everyone will treat it with caution.