Nanzhu leaves, also known as Nanzhu twigs and leaves, are mentioned in the book "Kaibao Materia Medica". They are the leaves or twigs of the plant Vaccinium bracteatum Thumb., a member of the Ericaceae family. They are harvested in August to September, cleaned of impurities, and dried.
[Processing Method] Take the raw medicinal material, remove impurities, and sift out the ashes.
[Characteristics of prepared slices] They are intact or broken leaves, with a long elliptical to lanceolate shape. The upper surface is dark brown and shiny, with sunken main veins; the lower surface is brown, with prominent leaf veins. The texture is crisp. It has a slight odor and a bitter and astringent taste.
[Processing function] Nanzhu leaves have a sour and astringent taste, and are neutral in nature. They belong to the Heart, Spleen, and Kidney meridians. They have the functions of nourishing the stomach and intestines, and nourishing the liver and kidneys. They are used for spleen and stomach qi deficiency, long-term diarrhea, and poor appetite; liver and kidney deficiency, weak waist and knees, and premature graying of hair. It is said in the book "Taiping Shenghui Fang" that long-term use of Nanzhu decoction can treat all kinds of wind diseases, promote agility, improve vision, and keep black beard and youthful appearance. Processing can make the medicinal material clean.
