Red Shinsan, also known as Earth Three Seven or San Xue Cao, is an annual or perennial herb. It has the effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, promoting blood circulation, and relieving pain. It can be used to treat various diseases. Let's learn about the medicinal value and cultivation methods of Red Shinsan.
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Characteristics and Cultivation of Red Shinsan
Red Shinsan grows in clusters. In spring, the young branches, leaf stalks, and leaf veins are reddish-purple. In summer, the mature leaves are green with rusty red spots in the center and light purple-red edges. The stems are slender and purple with nodes.
The leaves are alternately arranged, ovate-triangular, with 2 rounded lobes at the base resembling arrowheads. There are purple-black markings on the upper surface, and there is a tubular membranous leaf sheath at the leaf stalk.
The inflorescence is head-like, with several pink or white flowers on the top of the stem. The flowering period is from July to August, and black oval-shaped fruits are formed after the flowers.
Growth habit: Red Shinsan prefers sunlight but can tolerate shade. It is tolerant to cold and poor soil conditions.
Cultivation tips: It can be propagated by sowing or dividing. Division can be done in spring or autumn, while sowing is best done in spring. It is robust and requires minimal management. It is advisable to provide some shade and clean up the withered parts in autumn and winter to promote new growth in the following spring.
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Medicinal Value of Red Shinsan
1. Treatment of dysentery: Take 1 or 2 liang (approx. 30-60 grams) of Red Shinsan leaves, decoct in water and take orally.
2. Relief of abdominal pain: Take 5 qian (approx. 15 grams) of Red Shinsan leaves and 1 qian (approx. 3 grams) of Muxiang (Saussurea costus), decoct in water and take orally.
3. Treatment of abscesses: Crush a piece of Red Shinsan leaves and apply topically.
4. Treatment of bruises and injuries: Decoct Red Shinsan leaves and mix with alcohol for oral administration.
5. Treatment of mastitis: Crush the whole plant of Red Shinsan or potatoes and wild buckwheat, mix with rice wine lees, and apply externally.
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Differences in Varieties of Red Shinsan
1. Umbrella Flower Red Shinsan
The main difference between this variety and the original species is that the leaf base is concave, forming 2 small rounded lobes or no lobes. It is found in various parts of Guizhou and is often grown near residential areas. It is distributed in Yunnan, Sichuan, Hubei, Jiangxi, and has the same uses as the original species.
2. Chinese Red Shinsan
The differences from the original species of Red Shinsan are that both sides of the leaves are covered with long soft hairs; the margin hairs of the leaf sheath are very short or almost absent. The inflorescence stalk has fine soft hairs and few glandular hairs. The fruits are black. The flowering period is from April to August, and the fruit ripening period is from August to October.
It is found in the Funiu Mountains of Henan Province and grows in moist shady places at an altitude of over 1000 meters. It is distributed in Hubei, Yunnan, Sichuan, Hunan, Shaanxi, and other provinces. The whole plant is used as medicine, with the effects of promoting blood circulation, dispersing blood stasis, reducing swelling, and relieving pain. It is mainly used for bruises, strains, and snakebites. The whole plant can also be used as fodder.
