Pinyin: Jiguanhua
Aliases
Jigonghua, Jijiaoqiang, Jiguan Tou
Source
Amaranthaceae plant *Celosia cristata* L.Celosia cristataL. of the dried flower cluster.
Botanical Description
An annual erect herb, 30-80 cm tall. The entire plant is glabrous (hairless) and robust. Branches are few, nearly flat in the upper part, green or reddish, with raised ridges. Leaves are simple, alternate, petiolate; leaf blades are oblong to ovate-lanceolate, 5-13 cm long, 2-6 cm wide, apex acuminate or long-acuminate, base gradually narrowing into the petiole, margin entire. Spike inflorescence is terminal, becoming a flattened, fleshy, cockscomb-, convoluted-, or feather-shaped structure, with numerous flowers below the middle; perianth segments are light red to purplish-red, yellowish-white, or yellow; bracts, bracteoles, and perianth segments are dry-membranous and persistent; perianth segments are 5, elliptic-ovate, apex acute; stamens 5, filaments fused at the base into a cup. Utricle is ovoid, about 3 mm long, circumscissile when mature, enclosed by the persistent perianth. Seeds are reniform, black, and glossy. Flowering from May to August, fruiting from August to November.
Habitat and Distribution
Originally native to tropical Asia. Cultivated throughout northern and southern China, widely distributed in warm regions.
Harvesting and Processing
Harvest during autumn when in full bloom, sun-dry.
Medicinal Properties
The inflorescence is mostly flat and thick, shaped like a cockscomb, 8-25 cm long, 5-20 cm wide, with a broad upper edge bearing wrinkles and densely arranged linear scales, gradually narrowing toward the lower end, often with a flattened stem remaining. The surface is red, purplish-red, or yellowish-white. Below the middle, numerous small flowers are densely attached; each flower has persistent bracts and perianth segments that are membranous. The fruit dehisces by a lid, and the seeds are flat, kidney-shaped, black, and glossy. The texture is light and flexible. Odor: faint; Taste: bland.
Chemical Constituents
This product mainly contains kaempferitrin, amaranthin, pinitol, and a large amount of potassium nitrate.
Pharmacology
Has inducing labor and anti-trichomonas effects.
Properties and Channel Entry
Sweet, astringent, cool. Enters the Liver and Large Intestine channels.
Functions and Indications
Converges to stop bleeding, arrests leucorrhea, and stops dysentery
Dosage and Administration
Internal: decoct in water, 9-15 g; or made into pills or powder. External: appropriate amount, decoct for fumigation and washing; or grind into powder for topical application.
Prescriptions
1. For incessant menstruation: Red cockscomb flower (*Celosia cristata*), dried and ground into powder. Take 6 g each dose on an empty stomach, adjusted with wine; avoid fish and fatty pork. (From *Jixiao Fang*) 2. For leukorrhea and stranguria with sand: White cockscomb flower and bitter gourd, equal parts. Burn to preserve the nature, take on an empty stomach with heated wine. (From *Zhaixuan Fang*) 3. For red and white leukorrhea: Cockscomb flower and toon root bark (*Toona sinensis*), 15 g each. Decoct in water and take orally. (From *Hebei Zhongcaoyao*) 4. For deficient body with leukorrhea: Cockscomb flower, longan (*Dimocarpus longan*), and knotgrass (*Polygonum aviculare*) 9 g each, lychee (*Litchi chinensis*) 6 g, and red dates 10 pieces. Stew with lean meat or decoct with chili pepper and water. (From *Qingdao Zhongcaoyao Shouce*) 5. For urinary tract infection: Cockscomb flower and knotgrass 15 g each, and dayflower (*Commelina communis*) 30 g. Decoct in water and take orally. (From Southern Medicine *Zhongcaoyao Xue*) 6. For nocturnal emission: Fresh white cockscomb flower 30 g, goldthread (*Coptis chinensis*), and Cherokee rose (*Rosa laevigata*) 15 g each. Decoct in water and take orally. (From *Fujian Zhongcaoyao*) 7. For glaucoma: Cockscomb flower, mugwort (*Artemisia argyi*) root, and vitex (*Vitex negundo*) root, 15 g each. Decoct in water and take orally. (From *Fujian Zhongcaoyao*) 8. For rubella (wind rash): White cockscomb flower and sunflower (*Helianthus annuus*) 9 g each, and rock sugar 30 g. Steep in boiling water and take orally. (From *Mindong Bencao*)
