Persicaria capitata (Polygonum capitatum)

Plant name: Persicaria capitata (Polygonum capitatum)

Family: Polygonaceae

Common names: Shi Mang Cao (“Vast Stone Grass”) [China]

Category: Clear Damp Heat

Properties: Bitter, acrid, cool

Energetic Functions: Clears heat and drains dampness, Invigorates blood and stops pain.

Uses:

• Clears heat and drains dampness: Dysentery [China], Diarrhea (chronic) [Pakistan] Glomerulonephritis, urinary bladder infections, stones in the urinary system [China] Fever [Pakistan] Eye disease [Pakistan]

• Invigorates blood and stops pain: Wind-damp pain [China] Bruises, contusions, fractures [China] Mumps [China] Sores, ulcers, boils [China] Eczema [China]

Part used: Aerial parts

Preparation: Decocted, fresh or dried.

Research: Oral administration inhibits E. coli in rat urine. [Ren, G. 1995. Pharmacological studies of Polygonum capitatum Buch-Ham. ex D. Don. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 1995 Feb;20(2):107-9, 128]

Caution: None noted.

PLEASE DO NOT PLANT THIS NEAR NATIVE FORESTS AS IT IS EXTREMELY INVASIVE.