The Herba Verbenae is a perennial herb with medicinal value. It is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, strains, and bruises. Let's take a look at the specific medicinal methods with the editor!
[Distribution Area] Northeast China to central and eastern China (south to Anhui, Zhejiang)
[Synonyms] Dao Dou San Qi, Shui Chang San Qi (Zhejiang Tianmu Mountain Medicinal Plants), Guai Zao Qi, Da Ye Lao Shu Qi (Shaanxi Medicinal Plants).
[Source] The root of the Papaveraceae plant Herba Verbenae.
[Plant Morphology]
A perennial herb, about 30 cm tall, with yellow sap in stems and leaves.
The stem is upright, slightly branched in the upper part, and has scattered hairs. Odd-pinnate compound leaves;
Basal leaves have long petioles, 5-7 leaflets with short petioles, broadly ovate to rhombic-ovate, 2.5-10 cm long, 1.2-4 cm wide, pointed at the apex, wedge-shaped at the base, with notched and irregular serrations on the margin;
Stem leaves with 3-5 leaflets. 1-2 flowers in sparse umbel inflorescences in the axils, with pedicels 4-8 cm long;
The flowers are hermaphroditic, with 2 sepals, green, narrowly ovate, 1.5-1.7 cm long, early deciduous; 4 petals, yellow, rounded-ovate, 2.5 cm long; numerous stamens;
The pistil is composed of 2 carpels, with a short style and a 2-lobed stigma. The fruit is a capsule, linear, 3-5 cm long, about 3 mm wide, with numerous seeds inside. Flowering period is from April to June. Fruiting period is from June to July.
[Habitat Distribution] It grows in damp places under mountain forests. It is distributed in Sichuan, Hunan, Hubei, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Anhui, Zhejiang, Liaoning, Jilin and other places.
[Collection] Can be collected throughout the year.
[Chemical Composition] The root contains 0.1% alkaloids, and the above-ground parts contain 0.06% alkaloids. Alkaloids include: berberine, pseudoberberine, morphine, berberine, berberine, sangunarine, phelloin, phellodine, berberine, sanguinarine, tetrahydroberberine.
[Properties and Tastes] "Bitter in taste, neutral in nature." (Shaanxi Medicinal Plants)
[Functions and Indications] "Dispels wind and dampness, relaxes tendons and collaterals, dissipates stasis and reduces swelling, stops pain and bleeding. Used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, strains, and bruises." (Shaanxi Medicinal Plants)
[Usage and Dosage] Internal use: decoction, 1-3 qian (3-9 grams); or soak and apply.
[Prescription] To treat weakness and yellow complexion in limbs due to physical strain: take 3-4 qian (9-12 grams) of Herba Verbenae, steam it with brown sugar and rice wine. Take once in the morning and evening before meals. (Zhejiang Tianmu Mountain Medicinal Plants)
