The Chinese herb known as Han Mei has rich nutritional value and can be used medicinally throughout the body. The roots, stems, leaves, and fruits of Han Mei are all excellent hemostatic herbs. Let's take a look at the functions and indications of Han Mei below!
Image of Han Mei
[Botanical Characteristics of Han Mei]
Han Mei, also known as "Fei Xing Cao," "Shui Piao Sha," "Han Ci Pao," "Shan Huo Mei," and "Da Hao Ci Bo," has a cold nature according to the "Compendium of Materia Medica."
It is an evergreen creeping shrub with stems that often lie obliquely, reaching a height of about 30 centimeters. The stems are covered with fine hairs, and they may or may not have thorns. The creeping branches can grow up to 2 meters in length.
The leaves are alternate and nearly circular, with a diameter of 4 to 8 centimeters. They have 5 shallow lobes with sawtooth edges, a rounded tip, and a heart-shaped base. The upper surface is nearly hairless, while the lower surface and leaf stalk are densely covered in fine hairs.
The inflorescence is a short raceme, axillary, with 5 to 10 flowers. The peduncle of the inflorescence is covered with gray-white hairs, and the flowers are white. The calyx has 5 petals and is covered with hairs on the outside. The aggregate fruit is nearly spherical and red. The fruit ripens from October to November.
[Functions and Indications of Han Mei]
Han Mei clears heat and detoxifies, promotes blood circulation, and relieves pain. It is mainly used for jaundice due to damp-heat, postpartum fever, high fever in children, irregular menstruation, excessive leukorrhea, gastric pain, anal fistula, and anal fistula leakage.
Root: Used for jaundice hepatitis, gastric pain, irregular menstruation, postpartum fever, and hemorrhoids.
Leaves: Used for hemoptysis in pulmonary tuberculosis; externally used to treat traumatic bleeding and yellow water sores.
