The efficacy and function of red elm

Chinese medicine has different effects on our body and can regulate our body. Today we will introduce a Chinese medicine: Radix Bupleuri. What are its specific effects and functions? Let’s take a look.

[Other names] Geshanxiao (Kunming Medicinal Plant Survey Report), Sanguisorba officinalis (Experienced Identification Method of Chinese Medicine Shape and Properties).

[Source] It is the root of the plant Sanguisorba officinalis of the Geranium family. Dig up in late autumn, wash, remove the fibrous roots, slice and dry.

[Original morphology] Perennial herb, 20 to 30 cm tall, the whole plant is covered with soft hairs. The taproot is conical, purple, and has long fibrous roots. Leaves are basal or cauline, with long petioles; leaf blades are 3-5 palmately divided, 3-5 cm in diameter, with pinnate stipules. 1 to 2 flowers grow at the top of the stem, are red and about 1.5 cm in diameter. The capsule is long-beaked and, when ripe, curls upward from the base and cracks, ejecting the seeds which hang on the style. Flowering period is summer.

[Habitat distribution] It mostly grows on sunny hillsides. Distributed in Yunnan. Produced in Yunnan.

[Properties] The dry root epidermis is dark brown, the inner bark is purple, with many wrinkled textures and traces of fibrous roots. The medicinal materials are mostly cut into slices obliquely, about 2.5 cm long, 1 to 1.5 cm wide, and 2 to 5 mm thick; the cut surface is yellow-brown, the wood and bark are often separated, and the main part is darker in color. Easy to break, cross section is floury. Odorless, bitter taste. The best ones are those with purple skin and yellow heart.

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter, cool.

【Functions and indications】 Anti-inflammatory, hemostatic, and astringent. Treat enteritis, dysentery, abdominal pain, internal bleeding, epistaxis, bloody stool, menorrhagia, postpartum bleeding, and bruises.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoct in water, 3 to 5 qian; soak in wine or make into pills or powders.

[Additional prescription] ① Treating cold face, back, and abdominal pain: Grind one qian of red elm into powder and take with hot liquor. (Compendium of Materia Medica in Southern Yunnan)

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

[Source] From "Southern Yunnan Materia Medica".

Now you know the function of red elm. I didn’t know that red elm is such a valuable thing before, which shows that our knowledge is not broad enough. So in the future life, learning more about it can be a good way to maintain health. In fact, if you want to maintain your health, there is knowledge everywhere in life.