The efficacy and function of red geranium

Modern medical research believes that red angelica contains many nutrients that are beneficial to the human body. As a traditional Chinese medicine, its efficacy and functions have been widely recognized. Let's take a look at its specific situation.

[Other names] Purple-backed Gynura asiatica, red leaf, Sanxuezi, Longhu leaf (Guangxi Medicinal Plant List), Yeduhong, Red Water Kui (Guangxi New Selection of Practical Chinese Herbal Medicines).

[Source] It is the bulb or the whole plant of Gynura strychnifolia of the Begoniaceae family. Harvest in spring and summer and sun-dried.

[Original morphology] Perennial herb without above-ground stems. The underground stem is spherical. There is one basal leaf, membranous, round or ovate-cordate, 2.5-7 cm long, 2-6 cm wide, gradually pointed at the apex, cordate at the base, with irregular double serrations and ciliate margins, coarse appressed hairs on both sides, purple underneath, with 7-9 palmate veins; petiole 2-6 cm long, with long coarse hairs; stipules small, ovate-lanceolate, and torn in a tassel-like manner. The cyme has 2 to 4 flowers, the peduncle is slender and longer than the leaves; the flowers are light pink; the bracts and stipules are similar. The male flower has 2 oval sepals; 2 obovate-oblong petals, and many stamens. The female flowers are smaller, with 3 sepals and petals, 2 large semicircular ones and the other smaller oblong, sunken; the style is 3- or 2-lobed, and the lobes are spirally twisted. The capsule is triangular and has three wings; the seeds are extremely small and yellowish brown. Flowering period is from May to August.

[Habitat distribution] Distributed in Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, Guizhou, Hunan, Jiangxi, Fujian and other places.

【Nature and flavor】 Sweet, cool.

【Functions and indications】 Clears away heat, cools blood, promotes blood circulation and detoxifies. It is used to treat high fever due to summer heat, cough due to lung heat, hemoptysis, bruises and sprains, pain due to blood stasis, sores, scabies, and burns caused by water or fire.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoct in water, 1 to 3 qian. For external use: mash and apply.

[Note] There is another kind of red water sunflower leaf in Guangxi, which has the same function. Its morphology is similar to this species, the main difference being that the underground stem of the red water hemlock is not spherical, the leaves are thicker and darker in color, there are small tubercle-like protrusions on the leaf surface, and the back of the leaves has obvious network veins.

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

[Source] From "Guangxi Medicinal Plant List".

The above is an introduction to the effects and functions of red angelica. If you want to consume red angelica, it is best to consult a Chinese medicine practitioner. I hope this helps you all.