Red lead (a traditional Chinese medicine)

Hongmei, a traditional Chinese medicine, also known as Salvia miltiorrhiza, belongs to Labiatae. The main producing areas of red lead are Shaanxi, Shanxi, Henan, Hubei, Hunan and other places in China. The medicinal parts of red lead are roots and rhizomes, and the main components are tanshinone, salvianolic acid and danshensu.

Hongdan has many functions, such as promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, reducing blood lipid, resisting platelet aggregation, and resisting oxidation. Therefore, red lead is widely used to treat cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes, hepatitis and other diseases.

Collection and processing of red lead

The collection of red lead is usually done in autumn. When collecting, choose red lead with thick roots, rosy color and solid texture. After collection, the roots and rhizomes of red lead are washed, dried or dried.

The processing of red lead is mainly grinding into powder and making into Dan medicine. When grinding, dry red lead is ground into fine powder with a stone mortar or a machine. When making elixir, grind red lead into powder, add appropriate amount of honey or candied dates, rub into pills, and dry in the sun for later use.

How to use red lead

Red lead can be taken orally or used externally. When taken orally, it is usually taken 3-9g each time, three times a day. You can take it with boiled water or honey or sugar water. For external use, grind red lead into fine powder, add appropriate amount of water or vinegar to make paste, and apply it to the affected area.

Matters needing attention of red lead

1. Pregnant women and lactating women should use red lead with caution.

2. Red lead has the effect of promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, and should not be used with anticoagulant drugs.

3. Red Plumbum has the function of lowering blood lipid, so it is not suitable to be used with blood lipid lowering drugs.

4. Red lead has the effect of anti-platelet aggregation, so it is not suitable for use with anti-platelet drugs.