We are all familiar with traditional Chinese medicine, but have you heard of the herb Si Nian Huang? Si Nian Huang is the whole plant of the Primulaceae plant species Hailv, also known as Long Tu Zhu or Jiu Long Tu Zhu. It is mainly found in Zhejiang, Fujian, Taiwan, Guangdong, and other regions, and has the effects of dispelling wind, eliminating cold, promoting blood circulation, and detoxification.
【Morphological Characteristics of Si Nian Huang】
It is an annual or biennial herb with no hair. The stem is clustered, branched, and quadrangular, 10-30cm tall, and slightly pale green-white. The leaves are opposite, without petioles, and wrapped by the stem.
The leaf blade is ovate to narrowly ovate, 1-2.5cm long, 5-15mm wide, with a pointed or slightly blunt apex, a rounded base, and an entire margin, and it is papery in texture.
The flowers are solitary in the leaf axils; the flower stalk is 2-3cm long, without bracts; the sepals are 5, linear-lanceolate, 4-6mm long, and sharp-pointed; the corolla is radiate, 4-6mm long, pale red, and the lobes are inverted ovate.
The margin is entire or has small serrate teeth at the apex, with glandular ciliate hairs; there are 5 stamens, and the filaments are hairy; the ovary is superior, hairless, and the style is threadlike. The capsule is spherical, about 4mm in diameter. The seeds are dark brown with dense wart-like protrusions. It flowers from March to May.
【Medicinal Introduction of Si Nian Huang】
Taste and nature: Sour and astringent, non-toxic.
Main functions and indications: It is used to treat snake bites or rabies by ingesting the squeezed juice and applying the residue to the affected area. It is also used to treat yin disorders, sores, ulcers, and gout.
Usage and dosage: Internal use: Decoction, 3-5 qian (fresh herbs 0.5-1 liang); or pounded juice. External use: Pounded application.
The method of consuming Si Nian Huang is to decoct the herb, remove the residue, and drink the juice. The daily dosage is 3-5 qian (fresh herbs 0.5-1 liang); or pounded juice. For external use, pound the herb into a paste and apply it to the affected area.
