Pinyin: Hongjingtian
Source
Crassulaceae plant *Rhodiola crenulata* (Hook. f. et Thoms.) H. Ohba.Rhodiola crenulataDried root and rhizome of (Hook.f.et Thoms) H.Ohba.
Botanical Description
A perennial herb. The aboveground rhizome is short, with a few residual flowering stems that are black, 5-20 cm tall. Sterile stems are erect, 5-17 cm tall, with densely clustered leaves at the apex; the leaves are broadly obovate, 1-3 cm long. Flowering stems are numerous, erect or arranged in a fan shape, 5-20 cm tall, straw-colored to red; the leaves have short false petioles, are elliptic-oblong to suborbicular, 1.2-3 cm long and 1-2.2 cm wide, with entire, undulate, or crenate margins. The inflorescence is a corymb with many flowers, bracteate; flowers are large, with long pedicels, dioecious. Male flowers have 5 sepals, narrowly triangular to lanceolate; 5 petals, red, oblanceolate, with long claws; 10 stamens, as long as the petals; 5 scales, subquadrate to oblong, with emarginate apex; 5 carpels, lanceolate, sterile. Female flowers have 5 follicles, erect. Seeds are obovate, winged at both ends. Flowering occurs from June to July, and fruiting from July to August.
Habitat and Distribution
It grows on grassy slopes, thickets, and rock crevices at elevations of 2800-5600 m. It is distributed in Sichuan, Yunnan, Xizang, and other regions.
Harvesting and Processing
Harvest in autumn after the flower stems wither, dig out, remove the rough outer bark, wash clean, and sun-dry.
Medicinal Properties
The rhizome is cylindrical, short and thick, slightly curved, occasionally branched, 5-20 cm long, 2.9-4.5 cm in diameter. The surface is brown or dark brown, rough and wrinkled; peeling off the outer layer reveals a membranous yellow epidermis with pinkish-red markings. Remnants of old flower stems persist, with the base of the flower stem covered by triangular or ovate membranous scales. Internodes are irregular; the fracture surface is pinkish-red to purplish-red with a single ring pattern; the texture is light and loose. The main root is cylindrical, short and thick, approximately 20 cm long, with an upper diameter of about 1.5 cm; lateral roots are 10-30 cm long. The cut surface is orange-red or purplish-red, sometimes with fissures. Odor: aromatic; Taste: slightly bitter and astringent, with a subsequent sweetness.
Chemical Constituents
This product contains p-hydroxybenzoic acid, caffeic acid, kaempferol, ethyl gallate,β- β-sitosterol, dibutyl phthalate, palmitic acid, coumarin, and salidroside among other constituents.
Yao.
Li
The extract can increase the activity of SOD in rat red blood cells and liver, and reduce the content of LPO in plasma, myocardium, and brain tissue.
Properties and Channel Entry
Sweet, bitter, and neutral. Enters the Lung and Heart channels.
Functions and Indications
Tonifies Qi, activates Blood circulation, unblocks the channels, and relieves wheezing
Dosage and Administration
Oral administration: decocted, 9-12 g.
