Polygonum hydropiper

Polygonum hydropiper

(records of plant medicine in Jiangsu)

[source] the whole plant of Polygonum salicifoliae.

[plant morphology] Polygonum salicifolia, also known as Polygonum lanigerum.

Annual herb, 0.5-2.5 m high. The stem is erect, much branched, with many purplish red spots on the surface, woolly and slightly expanded nodes. Leaves alternate, petiolate or nearly sessile; leaf blade lanceolate, apex acuminate, base cuneate, entire or microwavy, dark green above, sparsely tomentose below, densely gray tomentose below; stipules membranous, tubular. Panicle terminal or axillary, 2-6 cm long; flowers small, green white or pink, dense; perianth 4-5-lobed, veined, without glandular dots; stamens usually 6; ovary ovoid, style 2-divergent. Achene ovoid, flat, both sides of the middle concave, brown black and bright, wrapped in the persistent perianth. It blooms in early summer. The fruit period is autumn.

It grows in the grass near water, in the ditch, or in the wet and shady place. It is distributed in the north and south.

The fruit of this plant (shuihonghuazi) is also used for medicine. Please refer to the special section for details.

Polygonum hydropiper, Polygonum hydropiper, Polygonum pseudocauda and the whole herb of this product are used as Polygonum hydropiper in different areas.

[pharmacological action] 20-60% of the decoction of Polygonum hydropiper L. has inhibitory effect on all kinds of Shigella in vitro. The fresh or dry liquid extract or Decoction of Polygonum hydropiper can prevent mice from infection with schistosome cercariae.

[flavor] pungent, warm.

[function indications] detumescence and pain relief. Treatment of swelling, diarrhea and abdominal pain.

[usage and dosage] oral administration: decoction, 1-3 yuan. External use: tamping.

[selection] treatment of dysentery: a handful of Polygonum hydropiper. Sun dried, deep fried, warm. (the nature and taste are listed in the records of Jiangsu medicinal materials)