Little safflower

Little safflower

(selected Chinese herbal medicines in Yunnan)

Vermilion.

[source] it is the whole plant of Labiatae.

[plant morphology] vermilion

Herbs annual or perennial, ca. 1 m tall, all white hairy. Rhizome transverse, semi woody, brown, with fine fibrous roots. Stem tetragonal, covered with white setae. Leaves simple, opposite, ovate or triangular, 3.5-5 cm long and 1.6-3 cm wide, apex acuminate, base cordate to truncate, margin obtuse serrate. The inflorescence is 14-20 cm long, with 6-10 flowers on the sea wheel; the calyx is tubular bell shaped, green or purplish red, with white hairs on the outside and tooth margin, 2 lips, entire upper lip, 2-lobed lower lip; the Corolla is dark red, 20-25 mm long, with upright upper lip, concave apex, 3-lobed lower lip as long as upper lip; the stamen is 2, the filament is long and protruding; the style is as long as stamen . Nutlets brown, oblong. The flowering period is from July to August. The fruiting period is October.

It grows on wet grassland beside fields and roads, or cultivated.

[collection] collection in summer and autumn. Cut and dry.

[flavor] pungent, astringent, slightly bitter, cool.

[function indications] it can cool blood and stop bleeding, clear heat and remove dampness. Treatment of women with haemorrhage, high fever, abdominal pain and discomfort.

[usage and dosage] oral: decoction, 2-3 yuan.