Shi Lian Zi
StarSinocrassula indica (Decne.) A.Berger
Synonyms: Sedum indicum Decne., Crassula indica (Decne.) Hamet
☯ TCM Properties
Clears Heat
Traditional Chinese Uses
This record fixes Shi Lian Zi to Sinocrassula indica (Crassulaceae), Herba Sinocrassulae Indicae (石莲花) — one arm of a three-way 石莲子 homonym, distinct from aged lotus seed and from Salacia. A bitter, cold heat-clearing herb, it enters the Large Intestine, Bladder and Stomach channels and is used chiefly to clear Heat and resolve toxicity.
The whole succulent herb is applied to Heat and toxic-Heat patterns, including damp-heat dysentery and diarrhea, hot painful urinary dribbling (lin) reflecting its Bladder affinity, and Stomach Heat. Externally the fresh herb is pounded and applied to boils, sores, swellings and burns. It is generally decocted internally or used topically. Being bitter and cold, it is inappropriate for Spleen-Stomach deficiency-cold with loose stools.
Botanical Description
This Shi Lian Zi is the whole herb of Sinocrassula indica (Crassulaceae), a biennial succulent of rocky slopes and cliffs from the Himalaya to south-west China. In the first year it forms a dense basal rosette of fleshy, oblanceolate to spatulate leaves; the flowering stem then elongates to 15-60 cm and bears further reduced leaves and an elongate thyrse of small five-merous flowers with erect, fleshy, reddish to purplish petals and pointed anthers. The plant is glabrous and glaucous, storing water in its thick tissues. The whole succulent herb is used to clear heat, cool the blood, stop bleeding and resolve toxicity — for sore throat, dysentery, intestinal bleeding, hemoptysis, burns and traumatic wounds.
Rocky slopes, cliffs and dry grassy hillsides, roughly 1000-3800 m elevation.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | Daily | — | — | — |
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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