Product Overview of Polygonum perfoliatum

Polygonum perfoliatum is a medicinal material frequently used in traditional Chinese medicine, sourced from the rhizome of the perennial plant *Isatis indigotica*. Its primary active components include indirubin, flavonoids, and essential oils. After processing, the rhizome takes on a long strip shape with a dark brown or black exterior and a hard texture.

Renowned for its properties of clearing heat and toxins, cooling the blood, stopping bleeding, and clearing lung phlegm, Polygonum perfoliatum is commonly employed in traditional Chinese medicine. It is often used to treat symptoms like fever, sore throat, and colds caused by heat-related illnesses. Additionally, it aids in lung health, stopping bleeding, and reducing phlegm. In herbal formulations, it is typically combined with other medicinal ingredients to enhance efficacy or achieve specific therapeutic outcomes.

Active Ingredients in Polygonum perfoliatum

Polygonum perfoliatum contains several significant bioactive compounds:

  1. Indirubin: A primary active ingredient with anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antibacterial, and antiviral effects, it is effective in treating colds, fevers, and pharyngitis.
  2. Flavonoids: Includes compounds like quercetin and rutin, which exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties, offering broad health benefits.
  3. Essential Oils: Contains volatile compounds, aldehydes, and ketones, known for their heat-clearing, detoxifying, and anti-inflammatory effects, suitable for addressing colds and pharyngitis.

Additionally, the rhizome includes various vitamins, trace elements, and amino acids, contributing to metabolism regulation and immune system support. These components work synergistically to alleviate inflammation, detoxify, combat bacteria, reduce inflammation, and boost immunity, making Polygonum perfoliatum a valuable resource in traditional medicine.

Applications and Dosage of Polygonum perfoliatum

Polygonum perfoliatum has versatile uses in traditional Chinese medicine and the food industry. Below are its applications and recommended dosages:

  1. Applications in Traditional Chinese Medicine:
    1. Clearing Heat and Toxins: Used for treating colds, pharyngitis, and tonsillitis.
    2. Anti-inflammatory and Swelling Reduction: Beneficial for gastrointestinal inflammation and skin-related inflammations.
    3. Antibacterial and Antiviral: Effective against bacterial or viral infections due to its active components like indirubin.
  1. Applications in the Food Industry:
    1. Health Foods: Utilized as a raw material for oral liquids or tablets to enhance immunity and improve overall health.
    2. Functional Foods: Extracts added to beverages, powders, or oral liquids offer detoxifying and antiviral properties, suitable for respiratory health.
  1. Usage Methods and Dosage:
    1. Decoction: Slice or grind into powder, boil in water, and consume the resulting liquid.
    2. Oral Liquid: Prepared as an oral liquid and consumed per the product's instructions.
    3. Tablets: Administered as tablets based on prescribed or recommended doses.

**Recommended Dosage**:

  • Adults: Typically 5-10 grams per dose, divided into 2-3 administrations daily.
  • Children: Reduced to one-half or one-third of the adult dosage.

Precautions:

  • Use under medical supervision; avoid self-medication.
  • Contraindicated in individuals allergic to the herb.
  • Pregnant, breastfeeding women, and children should consult a physician before use.
  • Discontinue and seek medical advice if adverse reactions occur.

Botanical Profile, Distribution, and Growth of Polygonum perfoliatum

Polygonum perfoliatum, scientifically known as *Isatis indigotica Fortune*, is a medicinal plant valued for its therapeutic properties.

  1. Botanical Profile:
    1. Belongs to the Brassicaceae family, a perennial herbaceous plant with erect stems reaching over 1 meter.
    2. Leaves are lance-shaped with bluish-green surfaces. Flowers are small, yellow, and clustered. Fruits are capsules containing numerous seeds.
  1. Distribution:
    1. Native to China, predominantly in northern regions such as Hebei, Shandong, Henan, and Shaanxi.
    2. Also found in Japan, Korea, and parts of Southeast Asia.
  1. Growth Environment:
    1. Prefers warm, moist climates with well-drained soil and abundant sunlight.
    2. Commonly grows in mountainous areas, grasslands, roadsides, and farmland edges.
  1. Cultivation:
    1. Propagated through seeds or division, typically sown in spring or autumn under favorable climatic conditions.
    2. Proper fertilization, weeding, and moisture management promote growth.
  1. Conservation:
    1. Overharvesting has endangered wild resources, prompting protective measures and cultivation programs to reduce ecological strain.

Harvesting, Processing, and Storage of Polygonum perfoliatum

  1. Harvesting:
    1. Best harvested during peak growth (spring to autumn) for optimal active ingredient content.
  1. Processing:
    1. After harvesting, remove impurities, sun-dry initially, and then air-dry in a shaded, ventilated area to ensure complete drying. Avoid direct sunlight and high temperatures to preserve quality.
  1. Storage:
    1. Store in a dry, ventilated, and cool environment. Use sealed containers to protect from moisture and contamination. Periodically check for mold or odors.
  1. Shelf Life:
    1. Typically lasts over one year under proper storage conditions, though earlier use is recommended for best efficacy.

Adhering to these protocols ensures the therapeutic value and quality of Polygonum perfoliatum.

FacebookXRedditPinterestEmailLinkedInWhatsApp