Bencao Gangmu Reference Library
辣蓼 / 水蓼 / 蓼子草 / 辣柳草 / 斑庄草 / 泽蓼 — Persicaria hydropiper (L.) Delarbre (syn. Polygonum hydropiper)
Pinyin: Làliǎo / Shuǐliǎo / Liǎozǐcǎo · Malay: Daun Toba / Daun Kesum Pedas / Toba Hutan · Family: Polygonaceae (蓼科)
Energetics
Cool to Neutral (平 / 微凉)
Flavor
Pungent, bitter, fiery peppery-burning, tongue-scorching (大辛、苦、辛辣灼舌)
Meridians
Large Intestine (大肠), Spleen (脾), Liver (肝), Uterus (胞宫 / 冲任)
Traditional Edict
Water Pepper (Daun Toba / La Liao / Tade). Fiery wasabi-like peppery leaves with ciliate ochrea sheaths. Sovereign hemostatic that halts severe postpartum uterine hemorrhage and menorrhagia (Beng Lou), cures acute bacillary dysentery, expels worms.
Cautions & Contraindications
- Extreme burning peppery pungency when raw. CONTRAINDICATED DURING ACTIVE PREGNANCY (potent uterine-contracting and emmenagogue dynamics). High clinical safety in postpartum hemorrhage.
Clinical Applications
- Acute dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB), postpartum uterine subinvolution hemorrhage, menorrhagia, acute Shigella bacillary dysentery, and rheumatic joint arthralgia.
Quality Markers
Mechanism & Phytochemistry
1. Polygodial and drimane sesquiterpenes stimulate uterine myometrial $alpha1$-adrenergic tone and vasoconstriction, rapidly arresting uterine capillary bleeding. 2. Potent antimicrobial bactericidal membrane lysis (MIC 3.12 ug/mL). 3. TRPA1 analgesia.
Preparation & Dosage
THE SOVEREIGN WATER PEPPER UTERINE HEMOSTATIC DECOCTION: 15 to 30 g dried herb boiled in 500 mL water for 20 min; taken warm twice daily for menorrhagia and postpartum bleeding. Dysentery decoction: 20 g with Guava leaf. Fresh poultice: 30-50 g.
Appended Prescriptions
- 1. The Sovereign Postpartum Uterine Hemostasis Synergy with Leonurus japonicus (Kacangma) and Agrimonia pilosa (Xian He Cao). 2. Bacillary Dysentery Decoction with Psidium guajava.
Yemama Apothecary · Petaling Jaya, Malaysia · For educational and clinical reference only
