Pine pollen, also known as Songhua, Song Huang, and Songfen, is a dried pollen of several species of pine trees, such as Pinus massoniana Lamb. and Pinus tabulaeformis Carr., from the Pine family. During the flowering season in spring, the male flower clusters are collected, dried, and the pollen is rubbed off, sifted, and collected as fine powder, which is then sun-dried.
[Processing method] "Puzhi Fang": "In March, collect pine pollen and mosses that are five or six inches long like rat tails, steam and cut..." "[Xixi Danfang Xuan]": "Stir-fried until black." "[Bencao Huiyan]": "Roasted." Currently, the raw material is taken, impurities are removed, slightly dried, and sifted.
[Characteristics of the medicinal slices] It is a light yellow fine powder, light in weight, easily dispersable, and feels smooth when rubbed. It has a slight aroma and a mild taste.
[Quality requirements] The moisture content should not exceed 13.0%. The total ash content should not exceed 8.0%.
[Processing function] Pine pollen has a sweet and warm nature. It belongs to the liver and stomach meridians. It has the functions of dispelling wind, nourishing qi, promoting diuresis, and stopping bleeding. After being processed and purified, it is commonly used to treat headaches, dizziness, diarrhea, eczema, and bleeding wounds. For example, it is used to treat spleen deficiency and water diarrhea in the elderly and children (Shou Shi Qing Bian); Songhua San is used to treat persistent hemoptysis (Tai Ping Sheng Hui Fang); when used with talcum powder, it can treat infantile eczema (Jian Kang Bao, 1955); when applied externally, pine pollen can keep the affected area dry and is effective in treating diaper rash in newborns and heat rash in children during summer (Zhejiang Medicinal Plants). Stir-frying with charcoal can enhance the astringent effect. For example, stir-fried black pine pollen and stir-fried red yeast rice, combined with white sugar, can treat prolonged diarrhea and body heat in children (Xixi Danfang Xuan).
