1. Description:
Potentilla kleiniana (scientific name: Potentilla kleiniana Wight & Arn., Chinese Pinyin: She Han, Simplified Chinese: 蛇含, 蛇含萎陵菜, 五爪龙, 五皮风, 五皮草), is a species of perennial flowering and herbaceous plant in genus Potentilla (Rosaceae family). Found in China, North Korea, Japan, India, Malaysia and India (from between 400 to 3,000 metres in elevation), the plant can grow up to 50 cm tall. The whole plant of Potentilla kleiniana is used as sedative, antibacterial, antitussive, expectorant and hemostatic in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) and widely adopted in treating diseases and health problems including fever and dysentery.
2. Odour, Properties And Channels:
Potentilla kleiniana is considered to have bitter, mildly cold and nontoxic properties and to be associated with the liver and lung meridians.
3. Uses, Health Benefits of Potentilla Kleiniana & Medical Formulas:
3.1 Bleeding Stopping
Fresh Potentilla kleiniana is smashed and applied externally to treat wounds and injuries.
3.2 Lung Abscess
A decoction of fresh Potentilla kleiniana and Thesium chinense is taken orally to treat lung abscess.
3.3 Bacillary Dysentery
A decoction of fresh Potentilla kleiniana and honey can be used to treat bacillary dysentery.
4. Research And Studies:
Studies found out that extract of Potentilla kleiniana has significant inhibition effect on Staphylococcus aureus.
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 andcauses 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.