Chinese medicinal herb Nv Lou Cai is the whole plant of Sanguisorba officinalis, a plant in the Rosaceae family, distributed throughout the country. It has the functions of promoting blood circulation and regulating menstruation, promoting lactation and invigorating the spleen, and eliminating dampness and detoxification. It is commonly used for irregular menstruation, insufficient lactation, infantile malnutrition, spleen deficiency edema, and abscesses and swellings.
Image of Nv Lou Cai
【Morphological Characteristics of Nv Lou Cai】
Nv Lou Cai is an annual or biennial herbaceous plant, 20-70 cm tall, with dense short hairs throughout the plant. The stem is erect, with multiple branches at the base. The leaves are opposite; leaf blades are linear-lanceolate to lanceolate, 2-5 cm long and 3-8 mm wide; gradually tapering at the apex, wedge-shaped at the base, entire, and densely covered with short hairs; upper leaves are sessile, lower leaves have petioles; umbel inflorescence is compound, with 2-3 levels of branching, with 2 flowers on each branch; bracts are linear; sepals are elliptic, densely covered with short hairs on the outside, with 10 veins, and 5 lobes at the apex; petals are 5, inverted ovate, with 2 shallow lobes at the apex, narrow and claw-like at the base, and 2 scales at the throat; stamens are 10, with long filaments; pistil is 3-carpelled. The capsule is ovoid and the same length as the calyx. The seeds are numerous, small, blackish-brown, and have blunt tubercles. Nv Lou Cai grows in hilly grasslands and is distributed in most parts of China.
Image of Nv Lou Cai
【Efficacy and Functions of Nv Lou Cai】
In traditional Chinese medicine, Nv Lou Cai is considered to have a pungent and bitter taste, and a neutral nature; it enters the liver and spleen meridians. It has the functions of promoting blood circulation and regulating menstruation, invigorating the spleen and promoting diuresis. It is mainly used to treat irregular menstruation, insufficient lactation, infantile malnutrition, and spleen deficiency edema.
1. "Guizhou Herbal Medicine": "Promotes blood circulation and regulates menstruation, dispels accumulation and invigorates the spleen, detoxifies. Used for irregular menstruation, infantile malnutrition, abscesses and swellings."
2. "Ningxia Herbal Medicine Manual": "Promotes lactation, diuretic."
Internal use: decoction, 9-15g of Nv Lou Cai, can be used up to 30g in large doses; or powdered. External use: appropriate amount, apply fresh Nv Lou Cai.
Image of Nv Lou Cai
【Medicinal Value of Nv Lou Cai】
1. Treating irregular menstruation (delayed period): 5 keys of Guanguan flower, 3 qian of Xiaoxueteng. Decocted in wine and taken warm, twice a day. ("Guizhou Herbal Medicine")
2. Treating insufficient lactation in postpartum women: 5 qian of Nv Lou Cai, 5 qian of Astragalus, 3 qian of Angelica sinensis, decocted in water and taken. ("Ningxia Herbal Medicine Manual")
3. Treating spleen deficiency edema: 5 qian of Nv Lou Cai, 5 qian of Atractylodes macrocephala, 5 qian of Poria cocos peel, decocted in water and taken. ("Ningxia Herbal Medicine Manual")
4. Treating abscesses and swellings: appropriate amount of Guanguan flower, appropriate amount of wool felt. Crush and apply to the affected area. ("Guizhou Herbal Medicine")
