Centipede seven

Centipede seven

(Shaanxi Chinese herbal medicine)

Black donkey egg and pailou seven.

[source] it is the root, rhizome and flower of Cypripedium grandiflorum.

[plant morphology] Cypripedium grandiflorum

Perennial herbs. The rhizome is transverse with bulbils and many brown fibrous roots. Stem erect, 30, 50 cm high, the whole plant dense white pilose. Leaves alternate, ovate elliptic, 8-16 cm long, folded, apex pointed, base clasping, entire. There are 1 or 2 single flowers on the top of the stem, big purple; perianth segments are divided into inner and outer rings; outer ring is lanceolate, base is united, apex is pointed or dichotomous; labellum in the center of inner ring is oblate saccate, mouth is small and denticulate, surface is grooved; stamens are 6, only 2 develop; ovary is inferior. Capsule elliptic. The flowering period is from May to June. The fruit ripens in September.

It likes to grow in the high cold, moist and fertile acid soil forest. It is distributed in Northeast, North China, northwest and southwest.

The roots and rhizomes of Cypripedium grandiflorum are also used as medicine.

[collection] the roots and rhizomes were collected in autumn, washed and dried.

[flavor] bitter, pungent, warm, with little poison.

Functions and indications: diuretic, detumescence, promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, dispelling wind and dampness, analgesia. Treatment of systemic edema, lower limb edema, leucorrhea, gonorrhea, rheumatism, pain, injury, strain. Flower: dried in the shade, powdered, used for hemostasis.

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