The Healing Powers of Rosa laevigata Root: Promoting Blood Circulation and Dispelling Wind

Root of Rosa laevigata is the root of the Rosaceae plant, also known as the large wu pao root. It is harvested in September and October, and after washing and slicing, it can be used for making wine or decoction. It has the effects of promoting blood circulation, stopping bleeding, dispelling wind, and eliminating dampness.
 

Understanding the Root of Rosa laevigata

The plant grows as a shrub, reaching a height of 1-3m. The stem is erect or curved into an arch shape, reddish-brown in color, and covered with hooked flat prickles. The leaves are odd-pinnate compound leaves, with a leaf stalk of 2-4cm in length, and both the stalk and leaf axis have scattered small prickles. The stipules are linear, and there are 5-7 leaflets. The terminal leaflet has a stalk of 1-2cm in length, while the lateral leaflets are nearly stalkless. The leaflets are ovate, elliptic, or rhomboid-ovate in shape, measuring 3-6cm in length and 1.5-4cm in width. The apex is acute, the base is broadly cuneate or nearly circular, and the margins have irregular conical sharp serrations or coarse serrations with notches. The underside is grayish-green and has soft or downy hairs along the veins.

The umbel inflorescence is terminal or axillary. Both the peduncles and pedicels are hairy. The flowers are pink, with a diameter of 8-10mm. The sepals are lanceolate-ovate in shape with hairs on the outer surface. The aggregate fruit is ovate, with a diameter of 5mm, and red in color. The flowering period is from April to June, and the fruiting period is from June to August.
 

Recipe for Root of Rosa laevigata Wine

Ingredients: 30g of root of Rosa laevigata, 500g of rice wine.

Procedure: Wash and chop the root of Rosa laevigata, place it in a container, add rice wine, seal it, and soak for 10 days. Remove the residue and it is ready for use.

Usage: Taken internally: decoction, 6-15g; or soaked in wine.

Contraindications: "Chongqing Herbal Medicine": "Use with caution in weak individuals with stagnant blood."

Effects and Functions of Root of Rosa laevigata

In traditional Chinese medicine, root of Rosa laevigata is believed to promote blood circulation, stop bleeding, dispel wind, and eliminate dampness. It is mainly used to treat bruises, fractures, irregular menstruation, vomiting blood, nosebleeds, rheumatic pain, edema, difficulty in urination, and scrofula.

1. "Herbal Prescription": "Treats scrofula, tears in the eyes, blurred vision after smallpox, dispels wind, and eliminates dampness, treats dog bites."

2. "Chongqing Herbal Medicine": "Promotes qi circulation, nourishes kidney water. Treats hemoptysis in men, irregular menstruation in women, itchy skin, scrofula."

3. "Shaanxi Chinese Herbal Medicine": "Regulates menstruation, promotes blood circulation, stops bleeding and relieves pain. Treats bruises, fractures, infertility, irregular menstruation, and nosebleeds."