1. Description:
Persicaria tinctoria (also known as Polygonum tinctorium, Chinese indigo or Japanese indigo, Chinese Pinyin: Liao Lan, Simplified Chinese: 蓼蓝, 蓝, 靛青), is a species of annual, flowering and herbaceous plant in genus Persicaria (Polygonaceae family). Found in east Asia, the plant can grow up to 80 cm tall. The fruits and leaves of Persicaria tinctoria is used as antidiarrheal, antipyretic and analgesic in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) and widely adopted in treating different diseases and health problems, such as epilepsy.
2. Odour, Properties And Channels:
The fruits of Persicaria tinctoria is considered to have bitter, cold and nontoxic properties and to be associated with the heart and stomach meridians.
The stem and leaves of Persicaria tinctoria are considered to have bitter, cold, sweet and nontoxic properties and to be associated with the heart and stomach meridians.
3. Uses, Health Benefits of Persicaria Tinctoria & Medical Formulas:
3.1 Coughing
Smashed Persicaria tinctoria leaves is taken with water on an empty stomach to treat coughing accompanied with phlegm (sputum, mucus).
3.2 Epilepsy
Powdered Persicaria tinctoria and calcitum (mixed with water) can be applied on forehead to treat epilepsy.
3.3 Drug Overdose
Juice of Persicaria tinctoria leaves is used in treating poisoning related to drug overdose.
3.4 The Excretory System
Juice of Persicaria tinctoria leaves is taken orally to treat diarrhea with viscid red grains in infants.
The Ben Cao Medical Book (also known as Compendium of Materia Medica or Ben Cao Gang Mu; Chinese: 本草纲目) is the most famous and comprehensive medical book ever written in the history of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Compiled and written by Li Shi-zhen (1518~1593), a medical expert of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) over 27 years.
The Ben Cao Medical Book records and describes all the plants, animals, minerals, and other objects that were believed to have medicinal properties in TCM. The book reflects the pharmaceutical achievements and developments of East Asia before the 16th century. On the basis of his predecessors’ achievements in the pharmacological studies, Li contributed further by supplementing and rectifying many past mistakes and misconception in relate to nature of many medicinal substances and causes of various illnesses. Charles Darwin, originator of the biological theory of evolution, regards the book as the “ancient Chinese encyclopedia”.
Disclaimer: The Ben Cao Medical Book is translated by ChinaAbout.net . The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of CTM knowledge and information from the research and experience from the author Li Shi-zhen. Kindly be alert that the CTM knowledge and ancient formulas given above are likely NOT medically proven and may contain misconceptions.