Impatiens chinensis

Impatiens chinensis

(Guangxi Chinese herbal medicine)

[synonym] water fingernail, elephant trunk flower.

[source] it is the stem and leaf of Impatiens balsamina.

[plant morphology] Impatiens balsamina

Annual herb, 30-60 cm high. The lower part of the stem is lying on the ground, rooting, the upper part is erect, and there are 2 or more stipule like hairs on the node. Leaves opposite, linear or linear oblong to obovate, 2-10 cm long, 0.5-1 cm wide, apex short pointed or obtuse, base rounded or subcordate, margin with small hard spines; petiole very short or sessile. Pollen is red or white, axillary, solitary or several aggregated, about 1-2 cm in diameter; pedicel is long; outer sepals extend into thin caudate and bend into hook shape; flag petal is round, acuminate, wing petal half obovate, base with ear on one side. Capsule elliptic, middle inflated. It blooms in summer.

It is found in tidal wetland or beside water or field. Distributed in Guangdong, Guangxi, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian, Yunnan and other places.

[collection] all year round.

[natural flavor] slightly bitter and pungent, and flat in nature.

Functions and indications: clearing away heat and toxin, promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, detumescence and removing pus.

[should not] pregnant women should take it carefully.

[selection] 1. For tuberculosis: one or two fresh herbs of Impatiens balsamina. Stewed with lean pork or pig bone.

② Treatment of snakehead sore, carbuncle sore swelling poison: huafengxian fresh grass mashed, applied to the affected area.