Bianxu is also known as flat bamboo, and it is the dried aerial part of the plant Polygonum aviculare from the Polygonaceae family. It often grows in fields, roadsides, wasteland, and riverbanks. It is distributed throughout the country and is harvested during the summer when the leaves are lush. It is used after being dried in the sun.
I. The Efficacy of Polygonum Aviculare:
Bianxu tastes bitter and is slightly cold. It belongs to the bladder meridian. Its effects includePromoting urination and relieving strangury, killing parasites and relieving itchingIts characteristic is its efficacy in treating damp-heat in the lower jiao and conditions of dysuria.
Commonly used forHeat strangury with painful urination, scanty dark urine, abdominal pain due to parasitic infestation, eczema, pruritus vulvae with leukorrheaTreatment of conditions such as
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Jade Carving Medical Explanation: "Polygonum aviculare promotes diuresis and drains dampness, treats jaundice and difficult urination, eliminates female genital erosion, kills roundworms in children, and heals spreading scabies, sores, hemorrhoids, and itching conditions."
"Ben Cao Bei Yao": "Kills parasites and scabies, promotes urination. Treats jaundice, heat strangury, abdominal pain from roundworm bites, and insect erosion of the lower body."
Zhang Shanlei said: "Polygonum aviculare, both in the 'Shennong Bencao Jing' and 'Bie Lu,' is used to treat the removal of damp-heat. Conditions such as spreading scabies, ulcers, hemorrhoids, genital ulcers, and three types of parasites are all diseases caused by damp-heat. Later generations, due to its ability to drain and transform damp-heat, also use it to treat difficult urination and turbid discharge."
II. Compatibility and Application of Polygonum aviculare:
1. For short and red urine, dripping and astringent pain. Polygonum aviculare is good at clearing dampness and heat in the lower jiao, promoting diuresis and relieving strangury, and is most commonly used in combination with Dianthus superbus. For treating damp-heat strangury syndrome, it is often combined with Dianthus superbus, Akebia quinata, Talcum, etc., namelyEight Corrections PowderFor the treatment of hematuria, it is often combined with herbs that clear heat and cool blood, such as Cirsium japonicum, Cirsium setosum, and Imperata cylindrica.
2. For skin eczema, pruritus vulvae, and other conditions. Polygonum aviculare, whether taken orally or applied externally, has the effect of removing dampness and relieving itching, especially for skin diseases related to damp-heat. For example, to treat women with damp-heat pouring downward and external genital itching, it can be decocted alone for external washing, often achieving good results.
If treating anal dampness and itching or early stage hemorrhoids, one can use Polygonum aviculare decoction, first fumigate and then wash while hot.
Jiangxi Traditional Chinese Medicine: "Treats anal itching due to damp-heat."
III. Usage and Dosage of Polygonum aviculare:
Bianxu is often used in decoctions, as well as in pills and powders, and can also be applied externally. The usual dosage in decoctions is over ten grams; for external use, apply an appropriate amount.
Wang Ang said: "The leaves are as fine as bamboo, the stems are weak and trailing, the nodes are close and powdery, and in March, they produce small red flowers."
IV. Application Notes for Polygonum Aviculare:
Bianxu is cold in nature and purgative, thusPatients with spleen and stomach weakness or yin deficiency should take with caution。
"Excessive consumption may lead to the leakage of vital essence."
