The Four Nian Huang is the whole plant of the Spring Flower family, also known as Long Tu Zhu or Jiu Long Tu Zhu. It is mainly distributed in Zhejiang, Fujian, Taiwan, Guangdong and other places, and has the effects of dispelling wind and cold, activating blood circulation, and detoxification. It is commonly used for rheumatism, yin-type sores, snake bites, and rabid dog bites.
【Morphological Characteristics of Four Nian Huang】
It is an annual or biennial herbaceous plant, without hair. The stem is tufted, branched, four-edged, 10-30cm tall, and slightly pale greenish-white. Leaves are opposite; sessile, sheathing; leaf blade ovate to lanceolate, 1-2.5cm long, 5-15mm wide, apex pointed or slightly blunt, base rounded, entire margin, papery.
Flowers solitary in leaf axils; pedicel 2-3cm long, without bracts; sepals 5, linear lanceolate, 4-6mm long, sharp-pointed; corolla radiate, 4-6mm long, pale red, lobes inverted ovate.
Entire or with eroded teeth at the apex, with glandular ciliate; stamens 5, filaments hairy; ovary superior, glabrous, style filiform. Capsule globose, about 4mm in diameter. Seeds dark brown, densely covered with tuberculate projections. Flowering period is from March to May.
【Medicinal Introduction of Four Nian Huang】
Taste and nature: Sour and astringent, non-toxic.
Functions and indications: It is used to treat snake bites or rabid dog bites. The juice is taken internally and the residue is applied to the affected area. It is also used for yin-type sores and rheumatism.
Usage and dosage: Internal use: Decoction, 3-5 qian (fresh 0.5-1 liang); or pounded juice. External use: Pounded and applied.
The Four Nian Huang can be consumed by decocting the herb to remove residue and drinking the juice. The daily dosage is 3-5 qian (fresh 0.5-1 liang); or pounded juice. For external use, the herb should be pounded into a paste and applied to the affected area.
