Pinyin: Gangbangui
Aliases
Laohuli, Daojingou, Tuixuecao.
Source
1. For pneumonia: Renshen 6 g, decoct in water and take orally.Polygonum perfoliatumL. in the dried whole herb.
Botanical Description
A perennial climbing herb, 1-2 m long. The entire plant is glabrous (hairless); the stem is angular with recurved prickles on the angles; leaves are alternate; petioles are peltate, nearly as long as the leaf blade; stipular sheaths are leaf-like, round or ovate, clasping the stem, 2-3 cm in diameter; leaf blades are nearly triangular, 2-5 cm in both length and width, pale green, with sparse recurved prickles on the veins of the lower surface, and occasionally scattered prickles on the leaf margins. Short spikes are terminal or axillary in the upper leaves, with bisexual flowers; flowers are small, numerous, with bracts, bracts round, perianth white or pale red, 5-lobed, lobes ovate, enlarging and becoming fleshy and dark blue in fruit; stamens 8; styles 3, forked. Achenes are globose, dark brown, and glossy. Flowering period is June to August, fruiting period is September to October.
Habitat and Distribution
It grows on barren ditch banks, riverbanks, and near villages. It is distributed throughout the country.
Harvesting and Processing
Harvested in summer and autumn. Cut the aerial parts and use fresh or dry in the shade.
Chemical Constituents
This product contains caffeic acid, methyl caffeate, protocatechuic acid, quercetin, betulinic acid, and other constituents.
Pharmacology
It has strong antibacterial and antiviral effects; it exerts an antihypertensive effect in rats with renal hypertension, significantly affecting their myocardial contraction and blood pressure; it possesses certain antimutagenic effects, inhibits tumors in experimental animals, and also has hemostatic and other effects.
Properties and Channel Entry
Sour, bitter, neutral. Enters the Lung and Urinary Bladder channels.
Functions and Indications
Clears Heat and resolves toxicity, promotes urination to reduce edema, and relieves cough. Used for sore throat, lung heat cough, pertussis in children, edema with reduced urination, damp-heat diarrhea and dysentery, eczema, furuncles and swelling, and snake and insect bites.
Dosage and Administration
Internal: decoct in water, 10-15 g, fresh product 20-45 g. External: appropriate amount, pound and apply; grind into powder and mix for application; or decoct in water for fumigation and washing.
Precautions and Contraindications
Individuals with weak constitution and pregnant women should use with caution.
Prescriptions
1. For chronic eczema: Fresh *Polygonum perfoliatum* 120 g. Decoct for external washing, once daily. (Selections from Prescription Survey Data) 2. For snake bite: *Polygonum perfoliatum* leaves, an appropriate amount, crush to extract juice, mix with wine and take as desired, apply the residue to the wound. (Wan Bing Hui Chun) 3. For swelling and pain of lower limb joints: Fresh *Polygonum perfoliatum* whole plant 60-90 g. Decoct in water for oral administration. (Fujian Chinese Herbal Medicine) 4. For bloody stranguria: *Polygonum perfoliatum*, *Stachyurus chinensis*, *Liquidambar formosana* resin, and *Plantago asiatica* 6 g each. Decoct in water, mix with sweet wine and take. (Hunan Materia Medica) 5. For abscess: Fresh *Polygonum perfoliatum* whole plant 60-90 g. Decoct in water, mix with yellow wine and take. (Fujian Chinese Herbal Medicine) 6. For acute tonsillitis: *Bulbophyllum inconspicuum* 30 g, *Polygonum perfoliatum* 75 g, *Solidago decurrens* 15 g. Decoct in water, one dose daily, taken in two divided doses. (National Chinese Herbal Medicine New Therapy Exhibition Data Compilation) 7. For hemorrhoids and anal fistula: *Polygonum perfoliatum* 30 g, pig large intestine 60 g, stew and take the soup. (Jiangxi Herbal Medicine)
