Red-legged powder is the whole plant of Polygonum lapathifolium or Polygonum chinense, which belongs to the family Polygonaceae. It is used in traditional medicine for its ability to clear heat, detoxify, promote blood circulation, and reduce swelling. It can be used to treat various diseases. Let's take a closer look at the efficacy and effects of red-legged powder.
[Medicinal Value of Red-legged Powder]
In traditional Chinese medicine, red-legged powder is believed to have the effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, promoting blood circulation, and reducing swelling. It is mainly used to treat dysentery, leucorrhea, headache due to blood heat, irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, breast abscess, and injuries from falls or blows.
Red-legged powder has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and blood circulation-promoting effects. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that the alcohol extract of red-legged powder has a significant effect on a certain type of dysentery bacteria and strong antioxidant activity.
Treatment of mastitis: Mash the whole plant of red-legged powder or potatoes and wild buckwheat, and apply externally with wine residue.
Contraindications: Avoid use in individuals with weak qi and deficiency of the exterior. Those with stagnant qi should consume it in moderation, as excessive consumption can lead to menstrual irregularities in women. Pregnant women should use it with caution as it may cause fetal malformation.
[Cultivation Methods of Red-legged Powder]
Biological characteristics: It prefers shade and humidity and can tolerate cold weather. It grows well in loose, fertile, and well-drained soil.
Cultivation techniques: It can be propagated by division or seeds, with division being the main method. From late winter to early spring before the plant emerges, dig up the rhizomes and divide them into individual plants, ensuring that each plant has buds and roots.
During planting, plow the land and create raised beds 1.3m wide. Dig holes with a spacing of about 33cm between rows and plants, and plant 2 plants per hole. Compact the soil in the planting area, apply animal and poultry manure and wood ash, and finally cover with fine soil to make it level with the bed surface.
Field management: After planting, weed and fertilize 3 times a year. The first time is right after the plant emerges in March, the second time is in June or July, and the third time is when the plant withers in winter. For the third fertilization, wood ash or compost can be applied.
[Methods of Using Red-legged Powder]
1. Treatment of dysentery: Take one or two liang (a traditional Chinese unit of weight) of red-legged powder, decoct it in water, and drink the decoction.
2. Treatment of abdominal pain: Take five qian (another traditional Chinese unit of weight) of red-legged powder and one qian of saussurea, decoct them in water, and drink the decoction.
3. Treatment of abnormal vaginal discharge: Take six qian of red-legged powder, three qian each of cedarwood pulp and sandalwood pulp, decoct them in water, and drink the decoction. For white vaginal discharge, add white sugar; for red vaginal discharge, add brown sugar, rose flowers, and gelatin.
4. Treatment of abscess: Mash a piece of red-legged powder and apply it to the affected area.
5. Treatment of injuries from falls or blows: Decoct red-legged powder in water and mix it with wine for oral administration.
6. Treatment of mastitis: Mash the whole plant of red-legged powder or potatoes and wild buckwheat, and apply externally with wine residue.
