The efficacy and function of Impatiens

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

[Alias] Small peach red, oleander, sea urchin, nail dyeing grass (Compendium of Materia Medica), drought pearl (Compendium of Materia Medica), bone-penetrating grass, Impatiens balsamina (Rare and Exotic Medicines), small powder ball (Classification of Herbal Properties), full house red (Zhejiang Handbook of Traditional Chinese Medicine), water nail (Nanning Drug Directory), nail grass (Handbook of Traditional Chinese Medicines).

[Source] It is the whole herb of Impatiens balsamina, a plant of the Impatiens family. Harvested in summer and autumn.

[Original form] Annual upright herb, about 60 cm high. The stem is thick and fleshy. Leaves are alternate; lanceolate, about 10 cm long, with long pointed tips, deeply serrated edges, and cuneate bases; petioles have glands. The flowers are bisexual, axillary, pink, red, purple, white or variegated, simple or double; there are 3 sepals, 2 of which are lateral with green tips and 1 below, large in shape, petal-like, and with spurs; there are 5 petals, the upper one (the standard petal) is round, with a concave tip and a small acute tip, and 2 pairs of petals (wing petals) on both sides are fused to form 2 petals on each side; there are 5 stamens, fused and surrounding the ovary; the ovary is superior, 5-chambered, and the stigma is 5-lobed. The capsule is covered with soft hairs and splits into five spiral petals when ripe. The seeds are flat oval, about 2 mm in diameter, and brown. Flowering period is from June to August. The fruit ripens in September.

【Habitat distribution】 Distributed in most parts of the country. It is often planted in courtyards for ornamental purposes.

【Nature and flavor】Acrimonious, warm.

【Functions and indications】Dispel wind, promote blood circulation, reduce swelling and relieve pain. Treat rheumatic joint pain, traumatic injuries, scrofula, carbuncles, and sores.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 3-5 qian (1-2 liang for fresh medicine). For external use: mash and apply or decoct in water for fumigation and washing.

[Additional prescription] ① Treat rheumatic joint pain: one liang of fresh Impatiens balsamina. Decoction in water and mix with wine. (Fujian Chinese Herbal Medicine)

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

Through the introduction in the above article, I believe everyone has a certain understanding of Impatiens. Impatiens is very beneficial to human health, and you can give it a try.