The efficacy and function of Polygonum palmatum

There are many types of Chinese medicine. When we choose, we need to understand the medicine first. So do you know about the medicinal material Polygonum palmatum? Let us introduce it below.

[Other names] Polygonum multiflorum, pigweed, Polygonum multiflorum, Kowloon Emperor

[Source] Medicinal material source: the whole herb of Polygonum palmatoides, a plant of the Polygonaceae family.

[Original form] Annual herb, about 1m tall. The stem is erect, purple-red, with longitudinal ridges, many branches, and covered with short soft hairs. Simple leaves are alternate; petiole is 2-9cm long, with longitudinal ribs, covered with appressed hairs and short soft hairs; stipule sheath is obliquely truncate, 1-2cm long, with prominent veins, covered with appressed hairs, and without lashes at the tip; leaf blade is palmate, 6-12cm in diameter, with 5-9 deep palmate lobes, the lobes are nearly rhombic, the two lobes at the base are smaller, nearly lanceolate, the tip is long and acuminate, the base is concave, there are appressed hairs and short soft hairs on the surface, and there are appressed hairs on the veins and leaf margins. The head inflorescence is arranged in a cymose shape, the inflorescence axis is covered with short soft hairs and procumbent hairs, the bracts are linear, densely covered with coarse hairs and short soft hairs; the pedicels are short, the perianth is deeply lobed into 5 parts, light red, with obvious veins; there are 8 stamens; there are 3 styles, and the stigma is capitate. Achenes are ovate, triangular, light brown, and have dotted patterns. Flowering and fruiting period is summer and autumn.

【Habitat distribution】Ecological environment: Grown in valley wetlands.

[Properties] Identification of properties: The stems and branches are cylindrical, much branched, brown-red to purple-red, with longitudinal ridges on the surface, covered with short soft hairs, and hollow in cross section. The leaves are mostly wrinkled, and when flattened, they are palmate, with 5-9 deeply palmate lobes, the lobes are nearly rhombic, the two lobes at the base are smaller, nearly lanceolate, with long acuminate tips, deeply concave bases, and the surface is covered with appressed hairs and short soft hairs; the stipule sheath is obliquely truncate, with obvious veins, membranous, and covered with appressed hairs. The flower heads are arranged in cymes; the perianth is light pink with obvious veins. Achenes are ovate, 3-ribbed, light brown, and have dotted patterns. Slight smell, slightly astringent taste.

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter; sour; cool

【Functions and indications】Hemostasis; clearing away heat. Mainly used for vomiting blood, epistaxis, metrorrhagia, dysentery, and bleeding due to trauma

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoction, 10-15g. For external use: Apply appropriate amount of fresh leaves by pounding them, or grind dry leaves into powder and spread on the affected area.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Through the above, we have learned about the effects and functions of the traditional Chinese medicine Polygonum palmatum. I hope everyone can prescribe the right medicine and consume Polygonum palmatum correctly in life.