The efficacy and function of Shimangcao

I wonder if you have ever heard of stonewort. Stone Mangcao has great benefits for regulating our body and can also play a good role in treating some diseases. Today let us look at the relevant knowledge about Stone Mangcao.

[Other names] Polygonum multiflorum (Guangxi Chinese Materia Medica), Polygonum capitatum, small red vine (Guangxi Plant List), sun grass (Yunnan Chinese Herbal Medicine), ground red, four-season red, fire grass (Wenshan Chinese Herbal Medicine), red flowered gentian, hydrangea, wind-startling grass, small copper grass, small red grass (Yunnan Chinese Herbal Medicine Selection).

[Source] It is the whole herb of Polygonum capitatum of the Polygonaceae family. It can be harvested throughout the year and used dried or fresh.

[Original form] Perennial herb. The stem is spreading, with the tip obliquely ascending, the surface red, and soft hairs at the nodes. The leaves are alternate, elliptical, 2.5-5 cm long, 1-2 cm wide, acute at the apex, cuneate at the base, entire, ciliate, and the edges and backs of the leaves are often red; the petioles are red, about 1-3 mm long, with ears at the base, and phimosis; the stipules are sheath-shaped, flat at the apex, and covered with long soft hairs. The raceme is erect and nearly spherical; the perianth is light pink, deeply lobed into 5 parts, the lobes are elliptical, slightly obtuse at the apex, and about 2 mm long; there are 8 stamens, the filaments are white and transparent, the glands are yellow-green, oblong, located at the base of the filaments, and the anthers are light blue; the ovary is superior, green-yellow, with a smooth surface, the upper part of the style is 3-lobed, and the stigma is spherical. Achenes are enclosed in persistent inflorescences, ovate, 3-ribbed, smooth and hairless. Flowering period is from August to October. Fruiting period is from September to November.

【Habitat distribution】Grows on rocks. Distributed in southwest my country.

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter, pungent, warm.

【Functions and indications】Detoxification, dispersing blood stasis, diuresis and relieving stranguria. Treat dysentery, pyelonephritis, cystitis, urinary tract stones, rheumatism, bruises, sores and eczema.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoct in water, 0.5 to 1 liang. For external use: mash and apply, decoct in water for washing, or boil into a paste for application.

【Note】 "Guangxi Chinese Medicine Annals": "Pregnant women and those with excess heat should not use this medicine."

[Additional prescription] ① Treat rheumatic pain: boil water with stone moss and steam it for washing. (Guangxi Traditional Chinese Medicine Records)

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

[Source] From "Guangxi Chinese Materia Medica".

The above describes some ways to eat Shimangcao. Although many medicinal herbs can be eaten, we must remind everyone that Chinese medicines generally cannot be taken indiscriminately and should be used according to your own situation.