The efficacy and function of red sand

Speaking of red sand, many people know that it is a Chinese medicinal material. So do you know the effects and functions of red sand? How should it be eaten? Let’s find out now.

[Alias] Red lice, fir willow, loquat firewood, sea gourd root, loquat firewood.

[Source] Medicinal material source: The branches and leaves of the Tamarix chinensis plant.

[Original form] A small shrub with many branches, the plant lies on its back, 10-30 (-70) cm high. The bark peels off in irregular wavy patterns; old branches are gray-brown, twigs are mostly curved, the bark is gray-white, and cracked longitudinally. The leaves are usually clustered in 4-6 pieces on shortened branches, fleshy, short cylindrical, scaly, 1-5mm long, about 1mm wide, light gray-blue-green, sometimes turning purple-red during flowering, with punctate salt-secreting glands. Flowers bisexual; inflorescence solitary in leaf axils or in racemes with few flowers at the top of young branches, sessile, about 4 mm in diameter; bracts 3; calyx bracelet-shaped, 5-lobed at the top; petals 5, open, white with a slight pinkish tint, oblong, with 2 oblanceolate appendages on the inner side; stamens 6-8 (-12); styles 3. The capsule is fusiform, with 3 edges, 4-6mm long, and 3-lobed. There are 3-4 seeds, all covered with dark brown hairs. The flowering period is July-August, and the fruiting period is August-September.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Grown in patches in intermountain basins, lake cliff salt and alkaline land, Gobi and gravel slopes.

[Properties] Identification of properties: The leaves are nearly sessile, thick, short, short cylindrical, 1-5mm long, 0.5mm wide, and scaly.

【Functions and indications】Removing dampness and relieving itching. Mainly eczema; dermatitis

【Usage and Dosage】 For external use: take appropriate amount and wash with decocted water.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Red sand is often used in the treatment of some diseases. It can be made into a compound prescription or used alone as needed. However, red sand should not be consumed blindly to avoid adverse effects on the body.