Sea Green, also known as "Sì Niàn Huang" or "Jiǔ Lóng Tǔ Zhū", is a herbaceous plant in the Primulaceae family. It is mainly found in Zhejiang, Fujian, Taiwan, Guangdong, and other regions. Sea Green has the effects of dispelling wind, dispersing cold, promoting blood circulation, and detoxification. It is commonly used for rheumatism, yin-related ulcers, snake bites, and rabies.
【Morphological Characteristics of Sea Green】
Sea Green is an annual or biennial herb, which is hairless. It has clustered stems that branch out and have four edges. It grows to a height of 10-30cm and is slightly pale green or white. The leaves are opposite, sessile, and sheathed.
The leaf blades are ovate to narrow-ovate, measuring 1-2.5cm in length and 5-15mm in width. They have a pointed or slightly blunt apex, a rounded base, and entire margins. The leaves are papery in texture.
The flowers are solitary and axillary. The pedicels are 2-3cm long and without bracts. The calyx is divided into 5 linear-lanceolate lobes, measuring 4-6mm in length and with sharp tips. The corolla is radiate, measuring 4-6mm in length and pale red in color, with inverted ovate lobes.
The corolla is entire or has slightly eroded teeth at the apex, with glandular marginal hairs. There are 5 stamens with hairy filaments. The ovary is superior, hairless, and has a filamentous style. The fruit is spherical, with a diameter of about 4mm. The seeds are dark brown and densely covered with wart-like protrusions. The flowering period is from March to May.
【Medicinal Uses of Sea Green】
Taste and Nature: Sea Green has a sour and astringent taste and is non-toxic.
Functions and Indications: It is used to treat snake bites or rabies by ingesting the juice and applying the residue to the affected area. It is also used for yin-related ulcers and rheumatism.
Usage and Dosage: For internal use, it can be decocted as a soup, with a dosage of 3-5 qian (fresh herb: 0.5-1 liang), or pounded into juice. For external use, it can be pounded and applied.
The method of consuming Sea Green is to boil it to remove the residue and drink the juice. The daily dosage is 3-5 qian (fresh herb: 0.5-1 liang), or pounded into juice. For external use, the herb can be pounded into a paste and applied to the affected area.
