✵The article records the herb Indigoplant Leaf—including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, and botanical source—namely, the plant species Polygonum tinctorium Ait., with a detailed introduction to its botanical features, growth characteristics, ecological environment, macroscopic characteristics of the herb, pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Folium Polygoni Tinctorii (Indigoplant Leaf)
Pinyin Name: Liǎo Dà Qīnɡ Yè
English Name: Indigoplant Leaf
Latin Name:Folium Polygoni Tinctorii Properties and Flavor: Warm; pungent; sweet
Brief Introduction:Folium Polygoni Tinctorii is the dried leaf of Polygonum tinctorium Ait. It is used as a dyer’s woad leaf with relatively stronger effects. It is commonly known as Folium Polygoni Tinctorii, Indigoplant Leaf, or Liǎo Dà Qīnɡ Yè.
Botanical Source:Folium Polygoni Tinctorii (Indigoplant Leaf) is the dried leaf of Polygonum tinctorium Ait., an annual herb belonging to the genus Polygonum L., family Polygonaceae (smartweed or buckwheat family), order Caryophyllales. This commonly used species is described below:
(1) Polygonum tinctorium Ait.
Botanical Description:Polygonum tinctorium Ait. is commonly known as Liǎo Lán. It is an annual herb reaching 50–80 cm in height. The stem is erect and cylindrical, usually branched or unbranched, glabrous, and bears conspicuous nodes. Leaves are simple and alternate; petioles are 5–10 mm long; at the base lies a sheath-like, membranous stipule (ochrea), pale brown in color, truncate at the apex, with long ciliate margins. Leaf blades are ovate (egg-shaped) or ovate-lanceolate, 3–8 cm long and 1.5–5.5 cm wide; the apex is obtuse; the base is rounded or cuneate; margins are entire, bearing marginal setae (trichomes); both surfaces appear cyan (blue-green) when dried.
Inflorescences are terminal or axillary spikes, densely arranged. Flower bracts are campanulate (bell-shaped), nearly herbaceous, and ciliate. Flowers are small and reddish; the perianth is 5-lobed, with ovate lobes exhibiting a faint rosy hue. Stamens number 6–8 and are shorter than the perianth. There is one pistil with three styles; the styles do not exsert, and the stigma is trifid.
Achenes are ellipsoid-trigonous or lenticular, brown, glossy, and enclosed within a persistent perianth. Flowering occurs from July to September; fruiting from August to October.
Ecological Environment:Polygonum tinctorium Ait. grows in lowland forests and along ditch banks; it is predominantly cultivated or found in semi-natural habitats.
Growth Characteristics:Polygonum tinctorium Ait. prefers warm and humid climates. Soil requirements are not stringent, but well-drained, humus-rich loam, clay loam, or sandy loam is optimal; clay soil is acceptable, whereas sandy soil and gravelly soil are unsuitable. Growth is poor in arid conditions.
Characteristics of the Herb: Leaves are mostly shriveled or fragmented, cyan (blue-green) or picine (blue-black); the main vein is khaki to pale yellowish-brown. When fully flattened, intact leaves are elliptic, 3–10 cm long and 2–5 cm wide; the apex is obtuse; the base is attenuate; margins are entire; veins are slightly prominent on the abaxial surface, with conspicuous lateral veins of light color. Petioles are flat or oblate, ~1 cm long, and bear a membranous ochrea (stipular sheath). The herb is brittle and fragile. It has a faint or weak odor and a mild, slightly bitter taste.
Pharmacological Actions: (1) Inhibition of pathogenic microorganisms; (2) antipyretic activity; (3) anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects; (4) modulation of cardiovascular function; (5) antiplatelet aggregation; etc.
Medicinal efficacy: Clears heat and resolves toxins; cools the blood and eliminates maculopapular eruptions. Indicated for febrile disorders in warm diseases; maculae and rashes; hematemesis and epistaxis; lung-heat-induced asthma and cough; pharyngitis; mumps; heat-type dysentery; jaundice; erysipelas; oral ulcers; and superficial carbuncles.
Administration of Folium Polygoni Tinctorii (Liǎo Dà Qīnɡ Yè):
Reference:
Administration Guide for Folium Polygoni Tinctorii (Liǎo Dà Qīnɡ Yè)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally: 9–15 grams. Externally: appropriate amount of fresh herb, mashed and applied topically to the affected area. (2) Internally: water decoction, 9–15 grams; fresh herb, 15–30 g; or juice extract taken orally. External use: appropriate amount, mashed and applied topically, or mashed and smeared.
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1.Introduction of Liǎo Dà Qīnɡ Yè: Indigoplant Leaf
✵The article records the herb Indigoplant Leaf—including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, and botanical source—namely, the plant species Polygonum tinctorium Ait., with a detailed introduction to its botanical features, growth characteristics, ecological environment, macroscopic characteristics of the herb, pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Liǎo Dà Qīnɡ Yè
Botanical Description: Polygonum tinctorium Ait. is commonly known as Liǎo Lán. It is an annual herb reaching 50–80 cm in height. The stem is erect and cylindrical, usually branched or unbranched, glabrous, and bears conspicuous nodes. Leaves are simple and alternate; petioles are 5–10 mm long; at the base lies a sheath-like, membranous stipule (ochrea), pale brown in color, truncate at the apex, with long ciliate margins. Leaf blades are ovate (egg-shaped) or ovate-lanceolate, 3–8 cm long and 1.5–5.5 cm wide; the apex is obtuse; the base is rounded or cuneate; margins are entire, bearing marginal setae (trichomes); both surfaces appear cyan (blue-green) when dried.
Inflorescences are terminal or axillary spikes, densely arranged. Flower bracts are campanulate (bell-shaped), nearly herbaceous, and ciliate. Flowers are small and reddish; the perianth is 5-lobed, with ovate lobes exhibiting a faint rosy hue. Stamens number 6–8 and are shorter than the perianth. There is one pistil with three styles; the styles do not exsert, and the stigma is trifid.
Growth Characteristics: Polygonum tinctorium Ait. prefers warm and humid climates. Soil requirements are not stringent, but well-drained, humus-rich loam, clay loam, or sandy loam is optimal; clay soil is acceptable, whereas sandy soil and gravelly soil are unsuitable. Growth is poor in arid conditions.
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