Chishen San, an annual or perennial herbaceous plant, 30-50 centimeters tall. The rhizome is slender and yellow, and the adventitious roots are black-brown. It grows in damp areas near grass or ditches and is non-toxic. So let's take a look at the efficacy and function of Chishen San together with me!
Introduction to Chishen San
Chishen San has a slender rhizome, reddish-brown in color, with swollen joints and numerous adventitious roots. The stem is cylindrical, slender, slightly flattened, with slight branching in the upper part, pale green or slightly reddish-brown, hairy or nearly hairless; the cross-section is hollow.
The calyx is white or pink, with 5 petals, about 2 millimeters long; 8 stamens, about 1 millimeter long, connate with the calyx below the middle, with yellow anthers; 3 pistils, connate below the middle, with a head-shaped stigma, about the same length as or slightly protruding from the calyx.
The leaves are ovate, elongate-ovate, or triangular-ovate, 5-8 cm long, 3-5 cm wide, gradually pointed at the apex, nearly truncate or slightly heart-shaped at the base, extending down to the petiole, and forming inwardly concave 1-3 pairs of rounded lobes on both sides; there are triangular dark purple markings on the upper surface; the sheath of the bract is tubular, membranous, and brown. The inflorescence is terminal, composed of several head-like inflorescences; the perianth is white or pink. Chishen San has a slight aroma and a slightly astringent taste.
The fruit is globose and triangular, about 2 millimeters in diameter, slightly pointed at the apex, brown, with pustular protrusions on the surface, enclosed in the persistent calyx. The flowering period is from June to July, and the fruiting period is from July to September.
Efficacy and Function of Chishen San
In traditional Chinese medicine, Chishen San is believed to have the effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, promoting blood circulation, and reducing swelling. It is mainly used to treat dysentery, leukorrhea, heat-induced headaches, irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, breast abscesses, and injuries from falls.
1. "Selected Practical Chinese Herbal Medicine in Guangxi": "Reduces swelling and detoxifies. Used to treat snake bites, abscesses, unknown swellings, and mastitis."
2. "Commonly Used Chinese Herbal Medicine in Sichuan": "Clears heat, promotes blood circulation. Used to treat internal injuries, heat-induced dizziness and headaches, excessive menstruation, amenorrhea, cough due to deficiency fire, dysentery (both bloody and white), and abscesses."
3. Treatment of mastitis: Mash the whole plant of Chishen San or potatoes and buckwheat, and apply externally with fermented rice.
It is also recorded in Chinese herbal medicine compilations that this plant has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and blood circulation-promoting effects. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that the aqueous extract of Chishen San has a significant effect on a certain type of dysentery bacteria and strong antioxidant activity.
Taboos: Avoid use in those with weak energy and deficiency on the surface; those with static Qi should consume less, as excessive consumption can lead to menstrual irregularities in women; pregnant women should use with caution, as it may cause fetal developmental abnormalities.
Contraindications for Taking Chishen San
1. Ecological environment:
(1) It grows in damp areas such as roadsides, ditches, and grassy areas.
(2) It grows in mountainous slopes below 3000 meters above sea level. Valley grasslands.
2. Distribution of resources:
(1) It is distributed in Southwest China, as well as Shaanxi, Gansu, Taiwan, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Guangxi, and Tibet.
(2) It is distributed in Southwest China, as well as Shaanxi, Gansu, Anhui, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Guangxi, and Tibet.
Dosage of Chishen San:
1-3 qian (3-9 grams). For external use, apply an appropriate amount to the affected area after crushing.
Contraindications for taking Chishen San:
1. Avoid use in those with weak energy and deficiency on the surface.
2. Those with static Qi should consume less, as excessive consumption can lead to menstrual irregularities in women.
3. Pregnant women should use with caution, as it may cause fetal developmental abnormalities.
