The efficacy and function of Yanlaihong

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

[Other names] Houtinghua (Compendium of Materia Medica for Famine Relief), Lao Shaonian (Compendium of Materia Medica), Laolaihong, Manxu (Collection of Common Folk Herbal Medicines), Red Amaranth (Lingnan Herbal Medicines), Qingxiang Amaranth (Jiangxi Herbal Handbook).

[Source] The whole herb or stem tip of the Amaranthaceae plant.

[Original morphology] Annual herb, 80-150 cm high; leaves are alternate, with great variation in leaf shape, from rhombus-ovate to lanceolate, 5-10 cm long, 2-7 cm wide, green in color. It is often red, yellow, purple or colorful, and hairless; the petiole is 2 to 6 cm long. Flowers unisexual or polygamous, densely clustered, spherical, axillary or in terminal drooping spikes; bracts and bracteoles ovate-lanceolate. Steep membranous; 3 sepals, rectangular, with awn tips; 3 stamens in male flowers; 2-3 styles in female flowers. The fruit is rectangular and the lid is cracked. Flowering period: summer and autumn.

[Habitat distribution] Cultivated throughout the country.

【Chemical composition】 Contains a large amount of vitamin C and amaranth pigment.

[Nature and flavor] "Jiuhuang Bencao": "It tastes sweet and slightly astringent, and has a cool nature."

【Functions and indications】 Treat dysentery, vomiting blood, metrorrhagia, and eye opacity.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 1-2 liang (3-4 liang for fresh). For external use: decoct in water for nasal fumigation or boil into paste for eye drops.

[Additional prescription] ① Treating red and white dysentery: Take appropriate amount of red amaranth, decoct it in water and mix it with white honey. Avoid sour and spicy foods. (Lingnan Herbal Medicine)

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

In fact, you will only know its benefits after practicing it. Just like the traditional Chinese medicine Yanlaihong introduced above, it turns out that Yanlaihong can also treat some other diseases. Therefore, eating it in moderation has many benefits.