Blood-Engorged Herb, also known as Bone-Setting Herb, is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine for promoting blood circulation and relieving pain. It has rich medicinal value and is highly effective in treating rheumatic pain. Let's now take a look at what Blood-Engorged Herb is.
What is Blood-Engorged Herb?
Blood-Engorged Herb refers to the whole plant or root bark of the honeysuckle family plant Blood-Engorged Herb. It is distributed in Shaanxi, Ningxia, Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, and Tibet.
Blood-Engorged Herb, also known as Blood-Mongering Herb or Great Blood Herb, grows in understory or shrubs at altitudes of 1600-3600 meters. It is a perennial tall herb or semi-shrub, reaching a height of 1-2 meters. The roots and rhizomes are red in color and release red juice when broken.
The stem is cylindrical, with a diameter of 0.3-1.5 cm. The surface is gray-green to green-brown, hard and brittle in texture. The stem has multiple longitudinal ridges, and the ridges are covered with yellow-brown to rusty short hairs. The outer layer of the stem is hardened and woody.
Blood-Engorged Herb has a slightly fragrant odor and a mild, slightly astringent taste. The color of the stem surface, the longitudinal ridges of the stem, the presence of hairs, the wide and spongy medulla, and the scattered brown-red spots are the most characteristic identification points.
It has the effects of dispelling wind, diuresis, promoting blood circulation, and dredging meridians. It is commonly used for acute and chronic nephritis, rheumatic pain, wind rash itching, sequelae of childhood paralysis, chronic back and leg pain, sprains and bruises, and fractures.
Identification of Blood-Engorged Herb
1. Appearance
The stem of Blood-Engorged Herb is cylindrical, with a diameter of 0.3-2.5 cm. The surface is gray-green to dark brown, with multiple longitudinal ridges. The ridges are covered with yellow-brown to rusty short hairs. The medulla of the cross-section is wide and white, spongy, slightly glossy, with scattered brown-red spots, mostly on the outer side of the medulla.
2. Smell
Blood-Engorged Herb has a slightly fragrant odor.
3. Taste
It has a relatively mild and slightly astringent taste.
Usage of Blood-Engorged Herb
1. For acute and chronic nephritis: Take 50 grams of Blood-Engorged Herb, 30 grams of Hedyotis diffusa roots, and 16 grams each of Eupatorium fortunei and Lycopodium clavatum. Decoct and take the decoction.
2. For rheumatic pain and wind rash: Take an appropriate amount of Blood-Engorged Herb. Decoct and use the decoction to wash the affected area.
3. For childhood paralysis and injuries: First, use plum blossom needles to puncture the affected area. Then, grind a suitable amount of fresh Blood-Engorged Herb stems and leaves into powder, stir-fry with wine, and wrap externally.
4. For fractures: Take a suitable amount of fresh whole Blood-Engorged Herb, crush it, and apply it with wine or boiled water.
5. For edema: Take 9-15 grams of tender Blood-Engorged Herb leaves and root bark, cook together with tofu, and consume.
6. For rectal bleeding and prolapse: Take Blood-Engorged Herb, black Prunus mume roots, and Sophora viciifolia roots, cook with pork, and eat.
