How to grow a Campsis grandiflora bonsai? Blood-activating and stasis-dissolving benefits and care guide
The "blood-activating and stasis-dissolving" Campsis grandiflora, also known as Ziwei, is mainly distributed in the central regions of China. It prefers warm, humid, sunny environments. It can be used both for ornamental purposes and for medicinal purposes, and has the effects of promoting blood circulation and removing stasis, cooling the blood and dispelling wind.
The "blood-activating and stasis-dissolving" Campsis grandiflora, also known as Ziwei, is mainly distributed in the central regions of China. It prefers warm, humid, sunny environments. It can be used both for ornamental purposes and for medicinal purposes, and has the effects of promoting blood circulation and removing stasis, cooling the blood and dispelling wind. Today, the editor will talk about the "blood-activating and stasis-dissolving" Campsis grandiflora bonsai care guide.
1. Health benefits
The flowers, roots and stems of Campsis grandiflora can all be used as medicine. The flowers taste pungent and sour, and have the effects of promoting blood circulation and removing stasis, cooling the blood and dispelling wind. The roots taste bitter, and have the effects of activating blood and dissolving stasis, detoxifying and reducing swelling.
2. Care guide
(1) Pot selection: Choose a flower pot with a diameter of about 30cm.
(2) Soil selection: Sandy loam or clay loam with a certain tolerance to salinity and alkalinity, but the soil must be loose, fertile, highly permeable and well-draining.
(3) Cultivation: In spring or the rainy season, select plants over 5 years old for cultivation. Leave the main trunk 30-40cm tall, trim the root system and keep only the main roots, insert into loose, fertile, highly permeable culture soil and water thoroughly, then place in a warm environment. Roots will form in about 20 days. After side branches sprout, keep only 3-5 branches on the upper part and cut off the lower branches, so that the plant takes on an umbrella shape. In later management, do a good job with water and fertilizer management, do not let it grow too vigorously, and after one year of cultivation it will take shape.
(4) Light: Campsis grandiflora is a strongly sun-loving, full-sun plant, so it needs sufficient sunlight, which is very beneficial for its growth, development and flowering.
(5) Temperature: The optimal suitable temperature for the growth of Campsis grandiflora is 23-25°C.
(6) Watering: During the growing period, keep the pot soil moderately moist.
(7) Fertilizing: Apply liquid fertilizer 1-2 times a month. Before flowering, apply compound fertilizer and compost, and carry out appropriate irrigation; in summer, after budding, remove excess flower buds and apply an additional dose of liquid fertilizer.
(8) Propagation: Propagation methods include layering, cuttings, division and sowing. Because Campsis grandiflora seeds are hard to obtain, layering and cuttings are mainly used. Layering propagation is generally done in summer.
(9) Pruning: Around the time of spring budding and in winter, appropriately thin out dead branches and overly dense branches and trunks, and remove dead branches, which is beneficial to plant growth.
(10) Placement: Campsis grandiflora has the characteristic of climbing on objects, so it is suitable for placement on a balcony with good lighting, so that Campsis grandiflora can climb along the wall.
Campsis grandiflora (Campsis grandiflora) illustrated guide: how to grow Campsis grandiflora / how to propagate Campsis grandiflora
Campsis grandiflora profileCampsis grandiflora
How to grow Campsis grandiflora and points to note, an introduction to Campsis grandiflora
Campsis grandiflora, also known as: Ziwei, Wuzhualong, Honghua Daoshuilian, Daoguajinzhong, Shangshulong, etc., is a plant of the Bignoniaceae family distributed in various provinces in central China. It is a deciduous climbing woody vine that climbs other objects upward by means of aerial roots. It has pinnately compound leaves with ovate leaflets and serrated edges. The flowers are bright red with funnel-shaped corollas, and it bears capsules. It has medicinal value, with the functions of promoting blood circulation and removing stasis, cooling the blood and dispelling wind, and also has ornamental value.
Morphological characteristics of Campsis grandiflora
Campsis: Mostly shriveled and curled, yellow-brown to brown, complete flowers 4-5cm long. The calyx tube is bell-shaped, 2-2.5cm long, with 5 lobes splitting to the middle, and there are 5 longitudinal ridges from the base of the calyx tube to the tip of the calyx teeth. The corolla is 5-lobed at the tip, with semicircular lobes, united below into a funnel shape. Fine vein patterns are visible on the surface, more obvious on the inner surface. There are 4 stamens, borne on the corolla, 2 long and 2 short, with the anthers in a cross-shaped arrangement. There is 1 style, with a flattened stigma. The odor is faintly fragrant, and the taste is slightly bitter and sour. The capsule is pod-like and blunt at the tip.
Campsis radicans complete flowers are 6-7cm long. The calyx tube is 1.5-2cm long, hard and leathery, with 5toothed lobes at the tip, the lobes short triangular, about 1/3 the length of the calyx tube, and there are no obvious longitudinal ridges outside the calyx tube; the inner surface of the corolla has obvious dark brown vein patterns.
Campsis
A thin-leaved woody vine that climbs on its host by means of aerial roots. The stem is yellow-brown with ridged and reticulate fissures.
Leaves opposite, odd-pinnately compound; leaf rachis 4-3cm long; petiolules 5-10mm long, leaflets 7-9, ovate to ovate-lanceolate, 4-6cm long, 1.5-3cm wide, apex caudate-acuminate, base broadly cuneate, unequal on both sides, margin coarsely serrate, glabrous on both sides, with pale yellow-brown tufts of hairs where the petiolules attach. Inflorescence terminal, paniculate, flowers large, 4-5cm in diameter; calyx bell-shaped, unequally 5-lobed, splitting to the middle of the tube, lobes lanceolate; corolla funnel-shaped bell-shaped, lobes 5, rounded, orange-red, spreading; stamens 4, 2 long and 2 short; ovary superior, 2-loculed, with a disc at the base. Capsule pod-like, with an ovary stalk; 2-valved. Seeds numerous, flattened, with transparent wings. Flowering period July-September, fruiting period August-October.
Campsis radicans
This species is similar in morphology to Campsis grandiflora, with 9-11 leaflets, elliptic to ovate-oblong, apex caudate-tipped. The calyx is equally 5-lobed, splitting relatively shallowly, about one third of the way, the lobes triangular, slightly rolled outward, without raised longitudinal ridges; the corolla is slenderly funnel-shaped, smaller in diameter than Campsis grandiflora, orange-red to deep red, with obvious brown-red longitudinal stripes inside, and the tube is 3 times the calyx. Flowering period July-October, fruiting period November.
Ecological habits of Campsis grandiflora
Sun-loving, slightly shade-tolerant, fond of warm, humid climates, not cold-tolerant. It requires well-drained, fertile and moist soil. It is relatively tolerant of waterlogging and also tolerant of drought, and has a certain tolerance to salinity and alkalinity. It can be planted in both sandy loam and clay loam. If the soil is fertile, the flowers will be large and abundant. Low-lying waterlogged areas are not suitable for planting.
Cultivation techniques of Campsis grandiflora: potted method
If Campsis is planted directly in a pot as a seedling, it grows relatively slowly. It is best to first plant it in the ground for three to four years, and after its stems and vines have grown thick, heavily prune in early spring leaving 40cm, then move it into a pot with soil, or buy a relatively sturdy plant from a flower market for potting. There are three methods: First, build a frame on the pot and guide it to grow around the pot frame. The advantage is that it is easy to repot and change the soil, and easy to move and prune; the disadvantage is that ventilation and light transmission are slightly poor, and the inner leaves tend to turn yellow. Second, place it on an open balcony and use ropes to pull and guide it upward to climb, or also let part of the stems and vines hang down naturally, forming a connected mass from top to bottom, elegant and unrestrained. The disadvantage is that repotting and changing the soil are relatively difficult and require two people to cooperate, and pruning is also relatively difficult, so attention must be paid to safety. Third, after potting, make it into a tree-stump-style or cliff-style bonsai, placed on a balcony or high shelf.
Pot soil selection
Potting or repotting and changing soil every other year is best done in early spring, and a layer of crushed charcoal blocks or hard plastic foam blocks should be placed at the bottom of the pot to facilitate ventilation, drainage and prevention of root rot. It cannot be bare-rooted; about 1/3 of the original soil should be retained. The roots must not directly contact the base fertilizer, and a layer of plain soil must separate them.
Management measures
In early management, attention should be paid to watering; later management can be more extensive. When the plant grows to a certain extent, support poles should be set up. Before germination each year, appropriate thinning can be carried out, removing dead branches and overly dense branches, so that the tree shape is reasonable and conducive to growth. Before flowering, apply some compound fertilizer and compost, and carry out appropriate irrigation, so that the plant grows vigorously and blooms densely.
Daily care
For potting, it is advisable to choose plants over 5 years old, retain the main trunk and cut it back to 30-40cm, and at the same time trim the roots, retaining the main root system. After potting, make it regrow new branches. Of the sprouted new branches, keep only 3-5 on the upper part and cut off all the lower ones, making it umbrella-shaped, control water and fertilizer, and it will take shape after one year. Set up a support frame and let it climb as it pleases. In the following summer, after budding, thin the flowers in time and apply one dose of liquid fertilizer, and the flowers will be large and brightly colored. In winter, place it indoors where it does not freeze to overwinter, strictly control watering, and prune before early spring germination.
1. Pot soil selection
For potting Campsis, it is advisable to choose a relatively permeable, deeper and larger earthenware pot or wooden bucket. It likes fertile, loose, well-drained neutral or slightly acidic sandy loam; an equal mix of leaf mold and garden topsoil can be used as culture soil.
2. Placement environment
Campsis likes a sunny environment and is also tolerant of semi-shade, but plants in semi-shade grow poorly, with fewer and paler flowers. Place it as much as possible in a sunny courtyard, roof garden, south-facing or west-facing balcony, and pay attention to good ventilation. Avoid placing it on a closed balcony or an open north-facing balcony.
3. Water and fertilizer management
Campsis likes moisture and is slightly drought-tolerant, but fears waterlogging. Therefore, during the growing period it should be watered frequently, keeping the pot soil on the moist side but not waterlogged. From late autumn when leaves fall until the dormant period before germination the following spring, the pot soil should preferably be on the dry side and slightly moist.
Campsis likes fertilizer. In addition to adding 50g-100g of bone meal or nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer as base fertilizer to the culture soil when potting or repotting and changing soil, after germination apply a nitrogen-based fertilizer once every 10-15 days to promote the growth of branches and leaves. From May onward, switch to a phosphorus-potassium-based fertilizer to promote flower bud differentiation and budding. From June onward, spray a 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution on the leaves once every 7-10 days to promote large, brightly colored flowers. After flowering, apply phosphorus-potassium fertilizer once or twice more to help it overwinter. Do not fertilize in winter.
4. Pruning
In early spring, cut off dead branches, thin and weak branches, overly dense branches and branches in poor growing positions, and shorten overly long branches to promote the sprouting of robust side branches; this lays the foundation for flowering. After flowering, also shorten overly long stems and vines.
Propagation methods of Campsis grandiflora
Campsis does not easily bear fruit, and it is very difficult to obtain seeds, so propagation mainly uses cuttings and layering.
① Cutting propagation
In the south it is mostly done in spring, in the north mostly in autumn, and in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River it is suitable in April-May, with a very high survival rate. The method is to select healthy branches free of pests and diseases, cut them into 10-15cm small sections and insert them into the soil; roots will form in about 20 days.
② Layering propagation
Campsis stems have aerial roots, and the layering propagation method is relatively simple. It can be done in spring, summer and autumn. After rooting and surviving in about 50 days, it can be cut off and transplanted.
Disease and pest control of Campsis grandiflora
During periods of high temperature and high humidity, Campsis is susceptible to aphid damage. Once discovered, promptly spray 40% dimethoate 800-500 times dilution for control. Campsis grandiflora has relatively few diseases and pests, but attention should be paid to timely control.
Main diseases and pests and their control:
Leaf spot and powdery mildew: spray with 50% carbendazim wettable powder 1500 times dilution.
Whiteflies and scale insects: often occur during the growing period, and can be killed by spraying with 40% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate 1200 times dilution.
Aphids: during dry spring and autumn periods and periods of high temperature and high humidity, they are prone to damage. Once discovered, promptly spray 40% dimethoate 500-800 times dilution for control.
Management points: Campsis grandiflora likes fertilizer and moisture. In early management, attention should be paid to watering; later management can be more extensive. After spring germination, strengthen water and fertilizer management, and carry out appropriate thinning, removing dead branches and overly dense branches, so that the tree shape is reasonable and conducive to growth; generally apply liquid fertilizer 1-2 times a month. When the plant grows to a certain extent, set up support poles, set up a support frame and let it climb as it pleases. Before flowering, apply some compound fertilizer and compost, and carry out appropriate irrigation, so that the plant grows vigorously and blooms densely; in summer after budding, thin the flowers in time and apply one dose of liquid fertilizer, and the flowers will be large and brightly colored. Before germination each year, for potting it is advisable to choose plants over 5 years old, retain the main trunk and cut it back to 30-40cm, and at the same time trim the roots, retaining the main root system. After potting, make it regrow new branches; of the sprouted new branches, keep only 3-5 on the upper part and cut off all the lower ones, making it umbrella-shaped, control water and fertilizer, and it will take shape after one year.
Distribution area of Campsis grandiflora
Distributed in mainland China in Guangxi, Henan, Shaanxi, Guangdong, Hebei, Fujian, Shandong, the Yangtze River basin and other places, as well as Taiwan, China, Pakistan, India, Vietnam and Japan. It grows in areas at altitudes of 400m to 1,200m, and is artificially cultivated for medicinal and ornamental use.
Dietary or medicinal value of Campsis grandiflora
The medical information and health dietary information on Huahua Network are for reference only and cannot be used as a basis for diagnosis or medical treatment. Any health problems should be consulted with professional medical personnel, and the treatment of any disease should follow a doctor's advice.
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Medicinal value
It has the functions of promoting qi and removing stasis, cooling the blood and dispelling wind. Main indications: abdominal masses and amenorrhea in women, postpartum stasis pain, blood heat generating wind, wind pain with body itching, wind stasis with red outbreaks, and acne. Pharmacological research shows it has a certain therapeutic effect on gynecological cancers and other aspects.
Documentation entry one
[Nature, flavor and meridian entry] Sweet, sour, cold. Enters the liver and pericardium meridians.
Functions and indications
[Functions and indications] Promote blood circulation and remove stasis, cool the blood and dispel wind. Used for amenorrhea and abdominal masses, postpartum breast swelling, red rubella, skin itching, and acne.
[Caution] Use with caution in pregnant women.
[Identification] (1) The powder of this product is yellow-brown. Pollen grains are nearly round, 24-31μm in diameter, with 3 colporate apertures, and the surface has extremely fine dense reticulate sculpturing. Glandular hairs are pale yellow or yellow-brown, with heads flattened-round, nearly round or oblong; in side view the cells appear palisade-like in 1-2 layers, with a stalk of 1-3 cells. Corolla epidermal cells are polygonal, with spiral vessels. (2) Take about 0.5g of the powder of this product, add 15ml of petroleum ether (60-90°C), treat with ultrasound for 15 minutes, filter, discard the filtrate, add 15ml of methanol to the residue, treat with ultrasound for 15 minutes, filter, evaporate the filtrate to dryness, add 1ml of methanol to the residue to dissolve, and use as the test solution. Separately take 0.5g of Campsis grandiflora reference medicinal material and prepare a reference medicinal material solution by the same method. According to the thin-layer chromatography method (Appendix VI B), draw 1μl each of the above two solutions and spot them separately on the same silica gel G thin-layer plate with sodium carboxymethyl cellulose as binder, use chloroform-methanol (9:1) as developing solvent, develop, remove, dry, and place in iodine vapor until the spots are clearly colored. In the chromatogram of the test solution, spots of the same color appear at the positions corresponding to those of the reference medicinal material chromatogram.
Documentation entry two
[Nature, flavor and meridian entry]
Flower: Sweet, sour, cold. Enters the liver and pericardium meridians.
Root: Bitter, cool.
[Functions and indications] Flower: cool the blood, dissolve stasis, dispel wind. Promote blood circulation and remove stasis, cool the blood and dispel wind. Used for irregular menstruation, amenorrhea and abdominal masses, postpartum breast swelling, red rubella, skin itching, and acne. Root: activate blood and dissolve stasis, detoxify and reduce swelling. Used for wind-dampness arthralgia pain, traumatic injuries, fractures, dislocations, and acute gastroenteritis.
[Dosage and administration] Flower 5-9g, root 0.3-1 liang; for external use, an appropriate amount of fresh root, mashed and applied to the affected area.
[Caution] Use with caution in pregnant women.
[Storage] Keep in a ventilated and dry place, protect from moisture.
[Excerpt] Chinese Pharmacopoeia
[Efficacy classification] Blood-activating and menstruation-regulating medicine
[Medicinal material origin] It is the flower of the Bignoniaceae plant Ziwei.
Medicinal source distribution
Distribution of animal and plant resources: distributed throughout north and south China.
Mainly produced in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and other places. Animal and plant ecological environment: grows in dry valleys, beside streams, under sparse forests, or climbs on trees and stone walls, or is cultivated.
Cultivation of medicinal animals and plants: 1. Climate and soil: likes warm and humid environments. It has low soil requirements and can grow in both sandy loam and clay loam. 2. Planting: 2.1. Cutting propagation can be carried out in spring or the rainy season; in the Beijing area it is suitable in July-August. Cut relatively firm and sturdy branches, each section 10-16cm long, and insert them into a sand bed, covering the top with glass to maintain sufficient temperature and humidity. Generally at a temperature of 23-28°C, roots will form 20 days after insertion, and by the following spring they can be moved into the field, with a row spacing of 60cm and a plant spacing of 30-40cm. In warm southern regions, in spring the new shoots from the previous year can be cut off and inserted directly at the edge of the field, where they will root and survive. 2.2. Layering propagation: in July, pull sturdy vines to the ground surface, bury them in sections with soil mounds, exposing the buds, and keep the soil moist; roots will form in about 50 days, and after rooting they can be cut off and transplanted. In the south, layering can also be done in spring. 2.3. Root division propagation: suitable in early spring, that is, dig out the small seedlings growing from root buds near the mother plant and plant them. 3. Field management: for newly planted seedlings, pay attention to watering, loosening the soil and weeding. In mid-May or early June, fertilizer can be applied once to increase flower yield.
Medicinal selected prescriptions
① To treat women's and unmarried women's menstrual blockage, umbilical and abdominal xIU pain, and all blood diseases: Ziwei 2 liang, Angelica sinensis and (Peng'e Zhu) 1 liang each. Grind the above into fine powder. Take 2 qian with cold wine on an empty stomach; after about the time it takes to walk ten li, take another dose mixed with hot wine. (Jifeng Puji Fang, Ziwei San)
② To treat women's amenorrhea: make Campsis grandiflora into powder. Take 2 qian each time, with warm wine before meals. (Xu Shi Tai Chan Fang)
③ To treat flooding and spotting: Campsis grandiflora powder, take one square-inch spoon with warm wine, three times a day. (Guangli Fang)
④ To treat generalized itching: make Campsis grandiflora into powder, take 1 qian mixed with wine. (Yixue Zhengzhuan)
⑤ To treat damp skin tinea: equal amounts of Campsis grandiflora and Rumex japonicus root, add an appropriate amount of burnt alum, grind into powder and apply to the affected area. (Shanghai Common Chinese Herbal Medicines)
⑥ To treat wind-heat in the lungs and blisters in the nose: Campsis grandiflora half a liang (made into powder), sulfur 1 liang (ground separately), lead powder 1 qian, walnuts 4 (shelled). First mix the first three ingredients evenly, then add the walnut meat and grind together into a paste; dip raw silk in the medicine and frequently wipe it on. (Yang Shi Jia Cang Fang, Ziwei San)
⑦ To treat rosacea: One, Campsis grandiflora and Gardenia jasminoides. Grind the above in equal parts into fine powder. Take 2 qian each time, mixed with tea after meals, twice a day. (Baiyi Xuan Fang) Two, grind Campsis grandiflora into powder, mix with litharge powder, and apply. (Lingnan Caiyao Lu)
⑧ To treat epilepsy: Campsis grandiflora, made into fine powder. Take 3 qian each time, mixed with warm wine, on an empty stomach. (Chuanxin Shiyong Wan)
⑨ To treat bleeding after defecation: Campsis grandiflora, soaked in wine and drunk. (Zhejiang Folk Herbal Medicine) ⑩ To treat those who mistakenly eat poisonous herbs: each time steam Campsis grandiflora together with black beans until cooked, pick out the flowers, and take only three to five black beans. (Lüchanyan Bencao)
Practical proven prescriptions
1. To treat blood stasis obstruction, amenorrhea, fever and abdominal distension: Campsis grandiflora 9g, Radix Paeoniae Rubra 15g, Moutan cortex 9g, safflower 6g, peach
kernel 9g, Angelica sinensis 10g. Decoct in water, 1 dose per day.
2. To treat chronic malaria with splenomegaly and hepatosplenomegaly: Campsis grandiflora 9g, ground beetle 9g, turtle shell 10g, rhubarb 10g, safflower 6g, peach kernel 9g, Angelica sinensis 10g. Decoct in water, 1 dose per day.
3. To treat generalized itching due to exuberant blood heat and wind: Campsis grandiflora 9g alone can be decocted in water; or taken as a powder mixed with wine; or Campsis grandiflora 9g, Rehmannia root 30g, Radix Paeoniae Rubra 10g, Angelica tail 9g, Dictamnus dasycarpus 10g, Schizonepeta 9g, Saposhnikovia 9g, licorice 6g. Decoct in water, 1 dose per day.
4. To treat damp skin tinea: Campsis grandiflora 9g, realgar 9g, white alum 9g, Coptis chinensis 10g, Rumex japonicus root 10g, Arisaema cum bile 10g. Grind into fine powder, mix evenly with water and apply externally to the affected area, 3 times a day.
Clinical applications
1. Gastroenteritis: Campsis grandiflora root 30g, ginger 3g, decoct in water.
2. Amenorrhea and abdominal pain: Campsis grandiflora 30g, stir-fried and ground into fine powder, take with warm wine before meals, 10g each time; Campsis grandiflora 5g, Chinese rose 10g, safflower 15g, decoct in water.
3. Dysmenorrhea: Campsis grandiflora and Evodia rutaecarpa 5g each, decoct in water.
4. Metrorrhagia and metrostaxis: Campsis grandiflora 30g, black beans 250g, add water and soak for half a day, simmer over low heat until the liquid is dry, pick out the black beans and dry them in the sun, then fry them crisp in a pan. Eat 50g of black beans each day for 1 consecutive week; or an appropriate amount of Campsis grandiflora, ground into fine powder, taken with warm yellow wine, twice a day, 6g each time.
5. Excessive vaginal discharge: appropriate amounts of Campsis grandiflora root and mountain grape root, stewed with chicken and eaten.
6. Bleeding after defecation: Campsis grandiflora 60g, soaked in 500g of low-degree white liquor for 7 days, taken 2-3 times a day, 50ml each time.
7. Rheumatic pain: Campsis grandiflora root 15g, decoct in water and take the liquid, add appropriate amounts of sugar and yellow wine, take before breakfast and dinner.
8. Hemorrhoid bleeding: an appropriate amount of Campsis grandiflora, ground into fine powder, taken on an empty stomach with glutinous rice soup, 3 times a day, 5g each time.
9. Traumatic injuries: an appropriate amount of Campsis grandiflora, mashed and applied to the affected area; or Campsis grandiflora 10g, garden balsam 15g, yellow wine 50ml, add water and boil three to five times, take the juice and drink it, while also mashing the dregs and applying them to the affected area.
10. Skin itching: an appropriate amount of Campsis grandiflora, ground into fine powder, taken with half wine and half water, 6g each time; or Campsis grandiflora 10g, cicada slough 5g, yellow wine 1 cup, add an appropriate amount of water, decoct to a boil, take the juice and drink it.
11. Erosive athlete's foot: mash fresh Campsis grandiflora, take the juice and rub it on the affected area.
12. Fire boils: Campsis grandiflora 10g and 2 cockroaches, mashed and applied to the affected area.
13. Scalds and burns: appropriate amounts of Campsis root and fresh holly leaves, mashed to extract the juice, mix evenly with sesame oil and apply to the affected area.
14. Blood stasis amenorrhea, abdominal masses and accumulations, and traumatic injuries. This product is pungent and dispersing in promoting blood circulation, and can break blood stasis, unblock meridians, dissipate abdominal masses, and reduce swelling and pain. To treat blood stasis amenorrhea, it can be used together with Angelica sinensis, safflower, Radix Paeoniae Rubra, etc., such as Ziwei San (Fuke Yuchi);
To treat blood stasis, abdominal masses and accumulations, it can be used with turtle shell (Biejia), tree peony bark (Danpi), etc., as in Biejia Jian Wan (from Jinkui Yaolue); to treat traumatic injuries, it can be pounded and applied alone, or used with frankincense (Ruxiang), myrrh (Moyao), etc.
15. Rubella, skin tinea, skin itching, acne. This product is cold in nature and drains heat, cools the blood and dispels wind, and is suitable for those with heat in the blood aspect. To treat generalized itching, Yixue Zhengzhuan uses this product alone as a powder, taken mixed with wine, or it can be used with dried rehmannia (Shengdi), tree peony bark (Danpi), puncture vine fruit (Ci Jili), etc.; to treat rubella and skin tinea, it is made into a powder with realgar (Xionghuang), coptis (Huanglian), arisaema (Tiannanxing), etc. and applied externally, as in Lingxiaohua San (from Zhengzhi Zhunsheng).
16. Bloody stool, abnormal uterine bleeding. This product is cold in nature and clears heat, cools the blood and stops bleeding; for bloody stool and abnormal uterine bleeding due to blood heat, it can be taken alone as a powder mixed in water, or used with sanguisorba (Diyu), pagoda tree flower (Huaihua), dried rehmannia (Shengdi), etc. [2]
Medicinal material identification
(1) Lingxiaohua (Chinese trumpet creeper flower) The flowers are mostly shrunken and curled; complete ones are 3-5.5 cm long; the calyx is bell-shaped, about 2 cm long,
brownish or brown, thin in texture, with unequal 5-deep lobes at the apex, the lobes triangular-lanceolate; the surface of the calyx tube has 10 longitudinal veins, of which 5 are obvious; the corolla is yellow-brown or brown; when a complete undamaged one is flattened, 5 lobes can be seen at the apex, the lobes semicircular, united below into a funnel shape, with fine vein lines visible on the surface, more obvious on the inner surface; stamens borne on the corolla, didynamous, the anthers shaped like the character "", dark brown; one style, the stigma round-triangular. Slight fragrant odor, slightly bitter and sour taste.
(2) American trumpet creeper flower Complete flowers 6-7 cm long; calyx shorter, about 1/3 of the corolla, yellow-brown or pale purplish-red, hard leathery, apex equally 5-lobed, calyx tube without obvious longitudinal veins or ridges; corolla yellow-brown, 5.8-6.5 cm long, inner surface with dark brown vein lines; stigma flat and short-triangular. The rest same as Lingxiaohua. All are best when complete, large, yellow-brown in color, and without flower stalks.
Microscopic identification Surface view of the flower:
(1) Lingxiaohua The inner and outer surfaces of the calyx bear glandular hairs, the glandular head oblate or suborbicular, slightly flat at the top, composed of 10-40 or more cells, 39-90 μm in diameter, containing yellow secretion and oil droplets; the glandular stalk extremely short, 1-2 cells. The epidermal cells around the glandular hairs are flat, with radial cuticular striations on the anticlinal walls. Stomata anomocytic. The edge of the calyx lobes bears a few non-glandular hairs, composed of 1-7 cells, 43-200 μm long, 15-19 μm in diameter, rounded-obtuse at the apex, with linear cuticular striations on the surface. The corolla has only a few non-glandular hairs and glandular hairs at the edge of the lobes, with the same characteristics as the calyx.
(2) American trumpet creeper flower The glandular head of the glandular hairs on the outer surface of the calyx has 50-80 cells, 39-58 μm in diameter; the glandular stalk is mostly single-celled, rarely 2-10 cells; the epidermal cells at the base of the glandular hairs often protrude outward. The edge of the calyx lobes has a few non-glandular hairs, 1-6-23 cells. The rest same as Lingxiao. The outer surface of the corolla has non-glandular hairs at the edge of the lobes, 1-5 cells, 55-300 μm long, 16-36 μm in diameter. The inner surface has numerous glandular hairs, the glandular head 7-60 or more cells, 86-146 μm in diameter; the edge of the lobes has non-glandular hairs 1-15 cells. The rest same as Lingxiao.
Literature references
1. Shennong Bencao: "It mainly treats women's postpartum lingering diseases, abnormal uterine bleeding, abdominal masses, blood blockage, alternating chills and fever, and emaciation."
2. Diannan Bencao: "It dispels skin itching, eliminates wind and relieves heat."
3. Bencao Gangmu: "Lingxiaohua and its root, ... are medicines of the hand and foot jueyin meridians; they can remove latent fire in the blood, and therefore mainly treat postpartum diseases, abnormal uterine bleeding and various conditions, as well as syndromes of blood heat generating wind."
[Key identification points]
Lingxiaohua and the adulterant paulownia flower are extremely similar in shape. The main differences are that Lingxiaohua generally has a calyx tube, and has a slight fragrant odor and a slightly sour and bitter taste, whereas paulownia flower mostly has a fallen-off calyx tube, with a slight odor and a bland taste. These can be used to distinguish them.
[Identification in famous classics]
1. Shennong Bencao Jing: "Ziwei grows in river valleys."
2. Liang dynasty, Mingyi Bielu: "Ziwei grows in the river valleys of Xihai and in Shanyang."
3. Tang dynasty, Su Gong said: "This is Lingxiaohua; the stem and leaves are used together."
4. Song dynasty, Su Song said: "It is now found everywhere, mostly growing in the mountains, and people also plant it in gardens. It first grows as a vine, clinging to large trees, and over time extends to the top. Its flowers are yellow-red and flourish in midsummer. Physicians today mostly collect the flowers and dry them for use in gynecological medicine."
5. Ming dynasty, Li Shizhen said: "Lingxiao grows wild; the vine is only a few chi, and once it obtains a tree it climbs up, reaching several zhang in height; in old ones the vine is as thick as a cup. In early spring it puts out branches, each branch with several leaves, pointed and long with teeth, deep green in color. From summer to autumn it blooms, each branch with more than ten flowers, as large as morning glory flowers, with five petals opening at the head, ochre-yellow, with fine dots, and turning even redder in late autumn. In the eighth month it forms pods like bean pods, about three cun long, and its seeds are light and thin like elm seeds or Aristolochia seeds. They are collected after autumn and dried in the shade."
6. Qing dynasty, Bencao Congxin: "Ziwei flower is also called Lingxiaohua. The flower opens with five petals, yellow-red with dots."
Literature discussion
1. Bencao Yanyi Buyi: Lingxiaohua is a key medicine for treating pain in the blood, and it is extremely quick at tonifying yin; it has a guarding action yet also acts alone. Why is it so often used in women's formulas?
2. Gangmu: Lingxiaohua and its root are sweet-sour and cold; the stem and leaves are somewhat bitter. They act in the blood aspect and can remove latent fire in the blood; therefore they mainly treat postpartum diseases, abnormal uterine bleeding and various conditions, as well as syndromes of blood heat generating wind.
3. Bencao Jingshu: Ziwei is a drastic medicine that enters the liver and moves blood; therefore it mainly treats women's postpartum lingering ailments, as well as abnormal uterine bleeding, abdominal masses, blood blockage with heat, emaciation and various syndromes. As for nourishing the fetus, this is decidedly not suited to its nature; those who use it should be cautious.
4. Bencao Shu: The qi of Ziwei is cold, and its flavor is first salty and dominant, then bitter and reducing; it is undoubtedly known to enter the blood and dissipate heat nodules. Danxi said it tonifies yin very quickly, while Pinhu also said it enters the blood aspect and removes latent fire, so it is certainly not solely for promoting free flow. If Miao Xiyong regarded it as a drastic blood-moving medicine, perhaps he also based this on what the Bencao says about treating abdominal masses and freeing blood blockages? Rihua Zi says it treats heat-toxin wind, meaning it transforms heat-toxin wind, that is, heat pent up in the blood that transforms into toxic wind. Although its nature mainly moves, it must be able to tonify yin before it can eliminate heat-toxin wind; this is movement serving as tonification. If one doubts that it can only move blood, consider why this flavor is moreover contraindicated with brine salt? Eating too much salt can harm the blood, and what is contraindicated for harming the blood must not be drastic at moving blood. Danxi said it has a guarding action yet can act alone; how could this be a baseless claim?
5. Bencao Chongyuan: Ziwei is used in recent times as a medicine to free the menses and induce abortion. Zhang Zhongjing's Biejia Jian Wan also uses Ziwei to reduce abdominal
masses; it is certainly not a fetal-calming substance. The two characters "nourish the fetus" in the Bencao should be an error for "abort the fetus."
6. Bencao Fengyuan: Lingxiaohua is often used for abdominal pain with blood blockage, blood-qi stabbing pain, and severe wind and malignant sores; in all cases it is used for its ability to dissipate stagnant blood.
7. Bencao Qiuzhen: Whenever fire lies latent in the blood and there appear yang binding and blood blockage, wind itching, abnormal vaginal discharge, masses and pain, all caused by blood wind and blood heat, this (Lingxiaohua) should be used to regulate and treat, for it specifically governs draining heat, and once heat is gone the blood naturally becomes lively. This is why in medicines for lung abscess it is often used as the chief herb. When used in pregnancy it can calm the fetus, meaning that if there is stagnant accumulation within, once the stagnation is removed the fetus is calmed. The statement that pregnant women should avoid taking it is because if there is no stagnant blood, reckless use may cause other problems. This is a necessary medicine in gynecology, but it should be used according to the syndrome.
8. Bencao Zhengyi: As for the flower of Lingxiao, Wu Pu says Shennong, Leigong and Junbo all made it a chief herb, and Bian Que considered it bitter and salty, clearing the heat of the blood aspect for eye and ear ailments, so it can invigorate blood and move stagnation, and can also treat abnormal vaginal discharge and abnormal uterine bleeding. The Bencao Jing says it specifically governs women's postpartum lingering diseases, precisely because at the time of first giving birth and nursing a child, the yin blood is already deficient and the solitary yang is relatively abundant; this sour, salty, slightly cold substance is most suitable, entering directly into the blood aspect, thereby protecting the already depleted original yin and gathering in the floating surging flames. It can be seen that the ancients in treating the postpartum period all took assisting yin and suppressing yang as the main approach, which is exactly the opposite of the recent vulgar view of recklessly using warm tonics after childbirth and consuming and scorching the yin fluids. As for treating abnormal uterine bleeding, this refers specifically to bleeding due to hyperactive yang acting recklessly and unable to restrain itself, not to say that it can govern all cases of blood deficiency failing to hold and collapse. Abdominal masses and blood blockage are probably also spoken of in terms of blood heat being too excessive and scorching into masses, and it can be known that this is not the pain and blockage of yin-cold congelation.
9. Shennong Bencao: "It mainly treats women's postpartum lingering diseases, abnormal uterine bleeding, abdominal masses, blood blockage, alternating chills and fever, and emaciation."
10. Diannan Bencao: "It dispels skin itching, eliminates wind and relieves heat."
The effects and uses of Lingxiaohua Ornamental value
Lingxiao is one of the famous garden flowers. Its flowers are funnel-shaped, bright red or golden yellow, and vivid in color. When blooming, the branch tips still continue to spread and grow, and the new shoots bloom in succession, so the flowering period is relatively long. Lingxiaohua is a vine plant and likes to climb; it is an excellent plant for greening in courtyards. With thin bamboo supports it can be trained into various patterns, very practical and beautiful. It can also be shaped by pruning into a hanging bonsai, or used to decorate windowsills, drying platforms, etc.
The cultural background of Lingxiaohua Stories and legends
Soft branches and slender vines, it is said that in a mountain village called Longdi in western Fujian, there lived a landlord surnamed Dong, who had a daughter named Lingxiao, born as beautiful as a flower, and also able to recite poetry and paint.
When the daughter grew up, Landlord Dong discussed with his wife finding her a family of equal status, and entrusted relatives and friends to seek a husband everywhere. But how could they know that their daughter Lingxiao had long since deeply fallen in love with the young, handsome, hardworking and kind long-term hired laborer Liu Mingquan! The kind girl Lingxiao often secretly gave delicious food to Liu Mingquan behind her parents' backs, and also quietly sewed new clothes for him; the two vowed to each other by the mountains and seas that in life and death they would always be together.
This matter was discovered by the landlord and his wife. The landlord was furious and ordered the servants to beat Liu Mingquan severely and then throw him into the desolate wilderness. Before dawn, Liu Mingquan had stopped breathing. The next day, the villagers buried Liu Mingquan by the small river outside the village. Before many days passed, a miraculous thing happened: on Liu Mingquan's grave grew a large willow tree with luxuriant branches and leaves, and its long, clinging, slender willow branches fluttered in the wind like strings of teardrops.
Because she violated the family rules, the girl Lingxiao was imprisoned by Landlord Dong. Day and night she neither ate nor drank, longing for Liu Mingquan, and within a few days she became haggard. One day, a maidservant secretly told the girl Lingxiao that Liu Mingquan had already been dead for more than ten days. At this, the girl Lingxiao, as if gone mad, rushed out of the house, ran to Liu Mingquan's grave, bowed three times, and then suddenly dashed her head against the large willow tree and died, in an instant turning into a woody vine. The vine circled around the willow trunk and climbed upward, growing thicker as it climbed, and in no time it had grown together with the willow tree, its branch tips covered with red flowers.
Later, people discovered that the flower the girl Lingxiao had turned into could cure diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, traumatic injuries and uterine bleeding. From then on, to commemorate the girl Lingxiao, people named this Chinese medicine "Lingxiaohua," and it has been used ever since. [3]
Literary appreciation
Oak "To the Oak"
If I love you -- I will never learn from the climbing Lingxiaohua, borrowing your high branches to show myself off;
If I love you -- I will never learn from the infatuated bird, repeating a monotonous song for the green shade;
Nor only like a spring, bringing cool comfort all year round; nor only like a perilous peak,
increasing your height, setting off your majesty. Even sunlight / even spring rain
No, all these are still not enough; I must be a kapok beside you,
standing with you as the image of a tree. Roots, clasped underground;
Leaves, touching in the clouds. Every time a gust of wind blows past, we greet each other,
But no one understands our speech. You have your bronze branches and iron trunk,
like knives, like swords, and like halberds; I have my red and abundant flowers, like heavy sighs,
and also like brave torches. We share the cold waves, wind, thunder and lightning;
we share the mist, flowing haze and rainbow; as if forever separated, yet depending on each other for life
This is great love; steadfastness lies here. Love, not only love your towering body,
but also love the position you hold, the land beneath your feet.
The flower language of Lingxiaohua
Lingxiaohua has strong adaptability, with aerial roots growing among the branches, by which it climbs rocks, walls or tree trunks and grows upward. It is mostly planted at the foot of walls, beside trees, and along bamboo fences. From the fifth lunar month to the end of autumn each year, green leaves cover the wall [trellis] and flower branches extend, with clusters of orange-red trumpet flowers dotted on the branch tips, dancing in the wind, especially delightful.
Lingxiaohua symbolizes the love of a kind mother. It is often placed together with holly and primrose, tied into a bouquet and given to mother, expressing deep love for mother.
Lingxiaohua pictures