Chicken Blood Seven is the rhizome of the Lysimachia christinae, a plant in the Polygonaceae family. It is also known as Hong Haier, Hong Xuer, and Mingxin Seven. It is used in traditional medicine for its blood-activating, tendon-relaxing, qi-moving, and pain-relieving effects. Let's take a closer look at the medicinal properties of Chicken Blood Seven!
Botanical Description
Chicken Blood Seven is a perennial herb that grows to a height of 30-60 centimeters. Its rhizome is cylindrical, thick, and has a purple-brown outer color and a pale purple-red cross-section. The stem is erect or inclined, with branching in the upper part. The leaves are alternate, petiolate, heart-shaped to ovate, and measure 6-13 centimeters in length and 4-8 centimeters in width. The leaf sheaths are membranous, tubular, brown, and easily ruptured. The inflorescence is a spike-like panicle, terminal or axillary, with small red flowers. The fruit is elliptical and black-brown in color.
Pharmacological Actions
A 10% extract of Chicken Blood Seven has a broad-spectrum antiviral activity in vitro. It inhibits adenovirus type 3, enteroviruses (poliovirus type II, Coxsackie A9, Coxsackie B5, Echo 9), and herpes simplex virus. It also shows inhibitory effects on Japanese encephalitis virus (strain Beijing-1) in a golden hamster kidney cell culture.
Medicinal Uses
The stem bark fibers can be used as raw materials for artificial cotton, papermaking, and weaving. The vine is used medicinally and has the effects of promoting qi circulation, dispelling wind, and activating blood. The root is used to relax tendons and activate blood circulation, as well as to kill insects. Both the vine and root contain phenolic compounds, amino acids, sugars, and resins.
Clinical Applications
A clinical study was conducted on 36 patients with acute dysentery, pneumonia, and Staphylococcus septicemia who were treated with powdered tablets made from Chicken Blood Seven. The daily dosage was 6-8 grams (raw herb). After 3-7 days of treatment, 24 cases were cured, 9 cases showed improvement, and 3 cases showed no effect. It was particularly effective in treating acute dysentery.
Side Effects
Some patients may experience mild discomfort in the upper abdomen, slight bloating, nausea, and vomiting after taking the medication. A few individuals may experience side effects such as insomnia or drowsiness, which disappear after stopping the medication. It is advised not to use Chicken Blood Seven together with Platycodon grandiflorus and Uncaria rhynchophylla.
