The efficacy and function of red lobelia

Everyone is familiar with the red lobelia, of course some people are relatively unfamiliar with it. In fact, red lobelia is a relatively common Chinese medicinal material. So what exactly does red lobelia do?

[Alias] Lobelia, mountain leech, red lotus (Guangxi Medicinal Plant List), ghost side list, big lobelia (Guangzhou Air Force's Commonly Used Chinese Herbal Medicine Handbook), meat lobelia (Guangxi New Selection of Practical Chinese Herbal Medicines).

[Source] The whole herb or root of Begonia serrata, a plant of the Begoniaceae family. It can be harvested throughout the year and sun-dried.

[Original form] Perennial succulent herb, 1 to 1.5 meters high. The rhizome is enlarged and runs horizontally. The stem is erect, or inclined at the bottom, glabrous, pink, and has swollen nodes. The leaves are alternate, membranous, broadly ovate to oblong, asymmetrical, 11-27 cm long, 3.5-10 cm wide, gradually pointed at the apex, oblique at the base, cordate, slightly serrated on the margin, glabrous on both sides; the petiole is slender. Stipules fall early. Cymes are axillary; flowers are 4 to 6, white; male flowers have 2 sepals, broadly obovate or ovate, and 2 petals, broadly ovate; female flowers have 6 sepals and petals, obovate, white or pink; ovary is nearly spherical, covered with rusty pubescence, contracted into a short beak at the top, and wingless. The capsule is nearly spherical, wingless and hairless, with a slightly thick beak about 3 mm long on the top. Flowering period is from April to May.

[Habitat distribution] Growing on rocks under the forest. Distributed in Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan and other places.

[Properties and flavors] "New Selection of Practical Chinese Herbal Medicines in Guangxi": "sour, astringent, cool."

【Functions and indications】 Clears away heat, detoxifies, reduces swelling and relieves pain. Treats bleeding due to febrile diseases, sore throat, sores, scabies and tinea.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoct in water, 5 to 8 qian. For external use: mash and apply.

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

[Source] From "Guangxi Medicinal Plant List".

Above we introduced what red lobelia is, and we also learned about the effects and functions of the traditional Chinese medicine red lobelia. We know that the effects of red lobelia are very powerful, and everyone can eat some red lobelia for health preservation.