Red horseshoe

Red horseshoe

(records of Sichuan Traditional Chinese Medicine)

[source] it is the root of Polygonum chinense.

[plant morphology] Polygonum chinense

Perennial herbs. The rhizome is thick and purple. Stem about 30 cm tall, thick, purple, pubescent or glabrous. Most of the basal leaves are purple long petioles, about 8 cm long, with long and truncated stipules at the base; the leaves are broad heart-shaped, about 6 cm long and 7 cm wide, with short apex, heart-shaped at the base, slightly wavy edge and sparsely short spines, smooth and green on the top, purple veins and edges, and hairy on the lower veins; cauline leaves alternate, stipules broad; the petioles are more upward Short. Raceme terminal, arranged in panicle; pedicel ca. 3 mm; perianth 4, white, margin purple; stamens 6; ovary compressed, style 2. Achenes convex on both sides, 2-winged. The flowering period is from June to July.

It grows in the sunny part of grass slope in high mountain area. It is distributed in the southwest and northeast of China.

[nature and taste] it is flat in nature, sweet and astringent in taste and non-toxic.

Functions and indications: tonifying the five zang organs and unblocking the meridians. Treatment of traumatic injuries, five tuberculosis seven injuries and backache leg pain.

[usage and dosage] oral administration: decoct soup, 2-3 yuan; or soak in wine.