Frost Red is a type of Chinese medicinal herb. Ancient texts record the use of Frost Red to treat diseases, as it has the effects of clearing heat and toxins, cooling blood, and stopping bleeding. Do you know the source of this Chinese medicinal herb, Frost Red?
Image of Frost Red
【Source of Chinese Medicinal Herb Frost Red】
Frost Red comes from the leaves of the Ilex chinensis, a plant in the family Aquifoliaceae.
Ilex chinensis, also known as Fineleaf Holly, Smallleaf Holly, or Fine Hair Winter, is a deciduous shrub that grows to a height of 1-2m. The bark is gray, and the small branches are covered with fine hairs or nearly hairless, with visible lenticels.
The leaves are alternate, with leaf stalks measuring 6-8mm in length. The leaf blades are membranous, elliptic, occasionally ovate, or inversely ovate in shape, measuring 2-9cm in length and 1-4cm in width.
The leaf apex is gradually pointed, the base is wedge-shaped, and the edges have sharp sawtooth-like serrations. The upper surface of the leaf has a concave shape, while the lower surface is convex. The veins are clearly visible, and both sides of the leaf are sparsely covered with fine hairs.
The flowers are arranged in umbels in the leaf axils. There are 4-5 male flowers, each with a flower stalk measuring 2.5mm in length, a calyx measuring 1.5-2mm in diameter, and triangular calyx lobes covered with soft hairs. The corolla measures 4.5-5mm in diameter and has elongated oval petals that are slightly fused at the base. The stamens are slightly shorter than the corolla. There are 4-5 female flowers, each with a flower stalk measuring 2-3mm in length, a calyx similar to the male flower, a corolla measuring 4.5mm in diameter, oval petals, and an oval-shaped ovary with a disc-shaped stigma.
The fruit is spherical, with a diameter of approximately 5mm. It is red in color and contains 4-5 seeds, occasionally only 1 seed. The fruit is broadly elliptical, with a smooth back and a leathery inner pericarp. The flowering period is from August to September, and the fruiting period is in October.
Image of Frost Red
【Other Names of Frost Red】
Fineleaf Holly, Smallleaf Holly, Fine Hair Winter, Cat Autumn Grass, Cankerweed
Taste: Sweet and bitter, with a cooling nature.
Meridians: Heart and Liver meridians.
【Protection Against Pests for Frost Red】
The plant is susceptible to aphid damage. In order to prevent aphids, it is important to use preventive measures. Spraying with a diluted solution of 800 times the concentration of Oxidized Leptospermum can be effective.
The spraying should be done between 8am and 10am or after 4pm. The amount of pesticide should be enough to completely spray the leaves. For potted plants, spraying once every 5 days is sufficient.
