1. Alias
Luo Lu Guo, Huang Hua Cai Gen, Zhu Ye Mai Dong.
2. Plant morphology
Perennial herb with short rhizomes and fleshy, enlarged spindle shaped tubers. Leaves are basal, arranged in two rows, with strip-shaped leaves measuring 40-80 centimeters in length and 1.5-3.5 centimeters in width, with a keel like protrusion below. The scape is thick and sturdy, 60-80 cm high, with a scorpion tail shaped inflorescence that forms a cone shape with 6-12 or more flowers. The bracts are ovate lanceolate, and the flowers are orange red to orange yellow, odorless, and have short flower stems. The perianth is 7-12 cm long, and the lower part is 2-3 cm in length, forming a perianth tube. The outer perianth has 3 lobes, which are oblong lanceolate and 1.2-1.8 cm wide, with parallel veins and the inner perianth has 3 lobes, which are oblong and up to 2.5 cm wide, with branched veins. The middle part has a brownish red color band, and the edges are wavy and wrinkled. When in full bloom, the lobes are inverted, and the stamens extend and bend upwards, shorter than the perianth lobes. The flower column extends and bends upwards, longer than the stamens. The capsule is oblong in shape. The flowering and fruiting period is from May to July.
3. Origin distribution
Commonly cultivated throughout the country, with wild species found in areas south of the Qinling Mountains.
4. Harvesting and processing
Summer and autumn harvesting, removing residual stems and roots, washing the soil, and drying in the sun.
5. Characteristics of medicinal herbs
The rhizome is short cylindrical in shape, measuring 1-1.5 centimeters in length and approximately 1 centimeter in diameter. Some have leaf residues at the top, clustered roots, and most have already been broken. The complete root length is 5-15 centimeters, with a diameter of 3-4 millimeters in the upper part. The middle and lower parts swell into spindle shaped tubers, with a diameter of 0.5-1 centimeter. They are often dry and wrinkled, with many longitudinal wrinkles and a few transverse stripes. The surface is gray yellow or light gray brown. Light in weight, soft in texture, slightly resilient, not easily broken, with a gray brown or dark brown cross-section and numerous radial cracks. The aroma is slightly fragrant and the taste is slightly sweet.
6. Sexual Taste Returning to the Classics
Cold in nature, sweet in taste, and toxic. The Spleen Meridian, Liver Meridian, and Bladder Meridian.
7. Effect and Function
Clearing heat and dampness, cooling blood and stopping bleeding, detoxifying and reducing swelling. Cold blood hemostatic drugs classified under the category of hemostatic drugs.
8. Clinical application
Oral administration: decoction, 6-9 grams; For external use: appropriate amount, massage and apply. Indications include jaundice, edema, cloudy discharge, vaginal discharge, bleeding, rectal bleeding, collapse, scrofula, breast abscess, and milk obstruction.
9. Pharmacological research
It has a certain inhibitory effect on Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro and has anti schistosomiasis effect; It has varying degrees of diuretic effect on edema caused by different diseases.
10. Chemical composition
This product contains ingredients such as chrysophanol, yellow anthraquinone, quercetin methyl ether, quercetin, aloe emodin, rhein, sesquiterpene root extract, sesquiterpene, β - sitosterol, γ - sitosterol, sesquiterpene root extract, steroids, phenols, amino acids, sugars, etc.
11. Usage taboos
This product is toxic and should be taken with caution when consumed orally. Not suitable for prolonged or excessive use to avoid poisoning.
12. Compatibility prescription
① Treating blood after defecation: stir fry Xuancao root and ginger in oil, take with alcohol. (St. Francis of Assisi)
② Treatment for male and female lower back pain: 15 Xuancao roots and 1 pig waist. Boil and take three times. (Diannan Materia Medica)
③ The medicine for treating heartache is ineffective: take one inch of Xuancao root, grind a cup of vinegar, and warm it to stop. (Complete Collection of Medical Statistics)
⊙ The content of the article is for clinical reference only. Non TCM professionals are not allowed to test drugs.