WH Acupuncture & Herbs Centre

 It is the root of Rubia cordifolia L., family Rubiaceae. Dug and collected in spring and autumn, plant, dust and fibrous roots removed, washed clean and dried in the sun, it can be utilized in its raw or stir-baked form.

[ Medicinal Properties ]: Bitter and cold; relate to liver meridian.

[ Medicinal Efficacies ]: Remove blood stasis and stop bleeding; cool the blood and circulate the meridians.

[ Clinical Applications ]: 1. Bleeding      It is used for various kinds of bleeding due to blood stasis or blood-heat, especially for bleeding due to both reasons, for it could cool the blood and at the same time resolve blood stasis. For the light one it can be taken alone, while for the heavy one, combined with Xiaoji and Baimaogen, such as in Shihui Powder.

2. Stagnant-blood syndrome     It is used for various stagnant blood syndromes, such as amenorrhea, traumatic pain and arthralgia due to rheumatism. It is especially useful for stagnant blood syndromes of gynecology. For amenorrhea due to blood stasis, the individual for of this medicinal can be decocted with liquor or also used in combination with Danggui, Honghua and Chuanxiong. For traumatic pain, it is used by itself, soaked in wine, or is combined with Sanqi , Ruxiang and Moyao. In case of arthralgia , it is often combined with Jixueteng and Yuanhushuo.

[ Usage and Dosage ]: 6-9g.

茜草为茜草科植物茜草Rubia cordifolia L.的干燥根及根茎。主产于安徽、江苏、山东、河南、陕西等地。春、秋二季采挖，除去茎苗、泥土及细须根，洗净，晒干，生用或炒用。