China has a rich abundance of medicinal resources. However, due to different medication habits in different regions, it is easy to encounter the phenomenon of using different names or different substances. Research has found that in clinical practice, it is common to mix up the usage of Di Yu (Rumex crispus) and Chi Di Yu (Sanguisorba officinalis). Let's explore the differences and applications of Di Yu and Chi Di Yu.
Di Yu Picture Chi Di Yu Picture
【Plant Source】
1. Di Yu
Di Yu is also known as Acidum Rubrum, Shan Zao Shen, Shan Hong Zao Gen, Huang Gua Xiang, and Xue Jian Cao. It is the dried root of the Rosaceae plant Di Yu or Chang Ye Di Yu, with the latter commonly known as "Mian Di Yu".
It is mainly produced in Jiangsu, Anhui, Henan, Hebei, Hunan, and other places. It is harvested when it starts to sprout in spring or when the plant withers in autumn. The roots are dug up, the fibrous roots are removed, washed, dried, or sliced and dried when fresh.
2. Chi Di Yu
Chi Di Yu is also known as Hong Di Yu, Ge Shan Xiao, Wan Liang Jin, Que Shi Di Yu, Wan Lan Jin, and Hong Han Yao. It is the root of the Rosaceae plant Zi Di Yu or the Polygonaceae plant Wu Jiao Ye Lao Guan Cao.
It is distributed in Sichuan, Yunnan, and other places. Chi Di Yu roots are harvested at the end of autumn, washed, the fibrous roots are removed, and then sliced and dried or used fresh.
Di Yu Picture Chi Di Yu Picture
【Medicinal Characteristics】
1. Di Yu
Di Yu is irregularly spindle-shaped or cylindrical, slightly curved, 5-25cm long, and 0.5-2cm in diameter. The surface is gray-brown to dark brown, rough, with longitudinal stripes.
The texture is hard, the cross-section is relatively flat, pink or pale yellow, and the wood is slightly radially arranged. Di Yu has a weak aroma and a slightly bitter and astringent taste.
2. Chi Di Yu
Chi Di Yu is conical, 5-15cm long, 1-1.5cm in diameter, slightly curved or branched. The surface of Chi Di Yu is purple-brown or dark brown, with fibrous root marks.
The texture is solid, easy to break, the cross-section is uneven, powdery, yellow-brown, and the bark is easy to separate from the wood. Chi Di Yu has no aroma and a bitter and astringent taste.
Di Yu Picture Chi Di Yu Picture
【Medicinal Value】
1. Di Yu
Di Yu has the effects of cooling blood, stopping bleeding, detoxification, and wound healing. It is used for hematochezia, hemorrhoids bleeding, bloody dysentery, excessive menstruation, scalds, abscesses, and ulcers.
Treatment for rectal bleeding and continuous abdominal pain: Four liang of Di Yu and three liang of roasted licorice. Take five qian (about 15 grams) per dose, add three cups of water, and add seven pieces of Suan Zhi (Zanthoxylum nitidum) to boil for one and a half cups, divided into two doses.
Treatment for infantile malnutrition and dysentery: Boil Di Yu into syrup, similar to malt sugar, and take it to relieve symptoms.
2. Chi Di Yu
Chi Di Yu has the effects of clearing heat, promoting diuresis, cooling blood, and stopping bleeding. It is mainly used for diarrhea, dysentery, indigestion, epigastric pain, nosebleeds, rectal bleeding, excessive menstruation, postpartum hemorrhage, and injuries from falls.
Treatment for gastrointestinal heat accumulation, large intestine bleeding, or intestinal wind bleeding, and red bloody dysentery:
One liang of Chi Di Yu, three qian of Huai Jiao (fried, or flowers can also be used), five qian of Zhi Ke (Aurantium fructus immaturus), three qian of Huang Qin (Scutellaria baicalensis), two qian of Jing Jie Sui (Schizonepeta tenuifolia spike), five qian of Quan Qin Gui (Cyathula officinalis), and two qian of Huang Lian (fried with wine). Grind them into fine powder and make into pills the size of Tung Zi. Take two qian (about 6 grams) per dose and swallow with rice soup.
