Red Shank Powder is the whole plant of Polygonum capitatum Buch.-Ham. or Polygonum chinense L., which belongs to the family Polygonaceae. It has the functions of clearing heat, detoxifying, promoting blood circulation, and reducing swelling. It can treat various diseases. Let's take a look at the efficacy and role of Red Shank Powder.
【Morphological Characteristics of Red Shank Powder】
Red Shank Powder is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Polygonaceae family. It grows in clusters and has a head-like inflorescence. It prefers light and shade, and is tolerant to cold and barren conditions.
The rhizome of this plant is slender and reddish-brown, with swollen nodes and numerous rootlets. The stem is cylindrical, weak, slightly flattened, with slight branching in the upper part. It is light green or slightly reddish-brown, and may or may not have hairs; the cross-section is hollow.
The leaves are ovate, oblong, or triangular-ovate, 5-8cm long and 3-5cm wide, with gradually pointed tips. The base is nearly truncate or slightly cordate, extending downwards to the petiole, and forming 1-3 pairs of inwardly concave circular lobes on both sides.
There are triangular dark purple markings on the upper surface of the leaves. The stipules are tubular, membranous, and brown. The inflorescence is terminal, composed of several head-like clusters. The corolla is white or pink. It has a slight aroma and a slightly astringent taste.
【Medicinal Value of Red Shank Powder】
In traditional Chinese medicine, Red Shank Powder is believed to have the effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, promoting blood circulation, and reducing swelling. It is mainly used to treat dysentery, leukorrhea, headache due to blood heat, excessive and irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, mammary abscess, and contusions.
Red Shank Powder has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and blood circulation-promoting effects. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that the aqueous extract of Red Shank Powder has a significant effect on certain dysentery bacteria and strong antioxidant activity.
Treatment for mastitis: Mash the whole plant or the tubers and wild buckwheat, and apply externally with wine lees.
Contraindications: It should be avoided in cases of weak Qi and external deficiency; those with stagnant Qi should consume it in moderation, as excessive intake can lead to irregular menstruation in women. Pregnant women should be cautious and avoid using it during pregnancy to prevent fetal malformation.
【Cultivation Methods of Red Shank Powder】
1. Cultivation Techniques
Red Shank Powder can be propagated by division and seeds, with division being the main method. From late winter to early spring before the emergence of seedlings, dig up the rhizomes, divide them into individual plants, leaving buds and rootlets on each plant.
When planting, cultivate the soil and create high ridges that are 1.3m wide. Dig holes with a spacing of about 33cm between rows and plants. Plant 2 plants per hole, compact the soil, apply livestock manure and wood ash, and finally cover the fine soil to make it level with the ridges.
2. Field Management
After planting, conduct weeding and fertilization 3 times a year. The first weeding should be done shortly after emergence in March, the second in June to July, and the third when the plants wither in winter. For the first and second fertilizations, mainly use livestock manure, while for the third fertilization, apply wood ash or compost.
