This product is the dried rhizome of Polygonum bistorta L. of the Polygonaceae family. It is dug either when it starts to sprout in early spring or when the stems and leaves are about to wither in autumn. After removing sediment, it is sun-dried and the fibrous roots are removed.

Properties, Flavors and Meridian Tropisms
Bitter, astringent in flavor, slightly cold in nature. It pertains to the lung, liver and large intestine meridians.

Functions and Indications
Clears heat and removes toxins, reduces swelling and stops bleeding. It is used for dysentery with heat symptoms and diarrhea, cough due to lung heat, carbuncles, scrofula, oral ulcers, hematemesis and epistaxis due to blood heat, hemorrhoid bleeding, and bites by snakes and insects.