Pinyin: Qumai
Aliases
Dalan, Nantianzhucao, Maijujiang
Source
Herb of the Caryophyllaceae family Dianthus superbus L.Dianthus superbusThe dried aerial parts of L.
Botanical Description
Perennial herb, up to 1 m tall. Stems clustered, erect, glabrous (hairless), dichotomously branched in the upper part, with distinct nodes. Leaves opposite, linear or linear-lanceolate, 1.5-9 cm long, 1-4 mm wide, apex acuminate, base forming a short sheath-like structure clasping the stem, entire margin, glabrous on both surfaces. Bisexual flowers; flowers solitary or several arranged in a sparse dichotomously branched panicle; pedicels up to 4 cm long; bracteoles 4-6, arranged in 2-3 whorls; calyx cylindrical, pale purplish-red, up to 4 cm long, 5-lobed at apex, lobes lanceolate, margin membranous, with fine hairs; petals 5, pale red, white, or pale purplish-red, apex deeply divided into fine linear segments, base with a long claw; stamens 10; ovary superior, 1-loculed, styles 2, slender. Capsule oblong, nearly equal in length to the persistent calyx. Seeds black. Flowering period August to September, fruiting period September to November.
Habitat and Distribution
It grows on hillsides, grasslands, roadsides, or under forests. Distributed throughout most regions of the country.
Harvesting and Processing
Harvested during the flowering and fruiting periods in summer and autumn, remove impurities, and dry.
Chemical Constituents
This product contains chrysoeriol-6-cis-α-D-pyranoglucoside, chrysosplenol-6-trans-α-D-glucopyranoside, anethole, dianthus saponin, dianthus pyranone glycoside, methyl salicylate, and other constituents.
Pharmacology
Has diuretic effects and stimulates smooth muscle; exhibits significant inhibitory effects on isolated frog and rabbit hearts; also has mild hemolytic activity.
Properties and Channel Entry
Bitter, cold. Enters the Heart and Small Intestine channels.
Functions and Indications
Diuresis and unblocks stranguria, activates blood and unblocks menstruation
Dosage and Administration
Oral: decoct in water, 3-10 g; or made into pills or powder. External use: appropriate amount, decoct for washing; or grind into powder for application.
Precautions and Contraindications
Contraindicated in cases of Lower Jiao deficiency-cold, difficult urination, pregnancy, and postpartum (recent childbirth).
Prescriptions
1. For red, swollen and painful eyes: Dianthus superbus and Chrysanthemum morifolium, 9 g each. Decoct in water for oral administration. (Selected Chinese Herbal Medicines of Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia, and Qinghai) 2. For blood stranguria: fresh Dianthus superbus 30 g, Agrimonia pilosa 15 g, stir-fried Gardenia jasminoides 9 g, Glycyrrhiza uralensis root tip 6 g. Decoct and take. (Chinese Herbal Medicines of Anhui) 3. For stone stranguria with unbearable painful urination: Dianthus superbus 30 g, Plantago asiatica 45 g, Polygonatum odoratum 30 g, Talcum 45 g. Grind the above ingredients into a coarse powder. Take 12 g each time, decoct in one medium cup of water until reduced to six-tenths, strain, and take warm before meals. (Sacred Prescriptions) 4. For blocked menstrual flow in women: Dianthus superbus, Akebia quinata, and Rheum palmatum, 60 g each. Grind into a fine powder. Decoct one cup of wine until reduced to seven-tenths, take warm before meals. (Prescriptions for Universal Relief) 5. For blood stasis amenorrhea: Dianthus superbus, Salvia miltiorrhiza, and Leonurus japonicus, 15 g each, Paeonia lactiflora root and Cyperus rotundus, 9 g each, Carthamus tinctorius 6 g. Decoct and take. (Chinese Herbal Medicines of Anhui) 6. For female vulvar erosion and skin damp sores: appropriate amount of Dianthus superbus. Decoct in water for washing, or grind into fine powder and apply to the affected area. (Hebei Chinese Herbal Medicine Handbook) 7. For esophageal cancer and rectal cancer: fresh Dianthus superbus 30-60 g (dried 18-30 g). Decoct in water for oral administration. (Selected Chinese Herbal Medicines of Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia, and Qinghai)
