Desmodium heterocarpum（L.
Aliases：Gou Wei Hua (literally "Dog Tail Flower"), Xi Ye Jia Hua Sheng (literally "Fine‑leaved False Peanut") — recorded in Nanning Shiyao Zhi (Nanning Medicinal Materials Records); Zhong Die Cao, Mu Jia Di Dou, Tong Ru Cao — recorded in Guangxi Yaoyong Zhiwu Minglu (Guangxi Medicinal Plants Directory); Da Ye Qing — recorded in Quanguo Zhongcaoyao Huibian (Compilation of National Chinese Herbal Medicines); Xiao Huai Hua, Mu Ben Shan Tu Dou — recorded in Taiwan Yaoyong Zhiwu Zhi (Taiwan Medicinal Plants Records); Gou Shi Dou (used in Fujian); Jia Hua Sheng, Ye Hua Sheng, Tie Ma Bian, San Ye Teng (used in Guangxi); Yi Guo Shan Lv Dou and Bai Dou — recorded in Hainan Zhiwu Zhi (Hainan Flora). All are alternative names for Shan Hua Sheng (Desmodium heterocarpum).
Shan Hua Sheng is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the whole plant of Desmodium heterocarpum (L.) DC., a plant belonging to the genus Desmodium of the family Fabaceae. It grows on slopes, roadsides, grasslands, and forest margins. It is recorded in Guangxi Bencao Xuanbian (Selected Compendium of Guangxi Herbal Medicine), Quanguo Zhongcaoyao Huibian (Compilation of National Chinese Herbal Medicines), and other sources.
Efficacy & Actions
Clears heat, promotes diuresis, and detoxifies; clears heat, removes toxicity, reduces swelling, and alleviates pain.
Indications
Lung‑heat cough and wheezing, edema, strangury disorder, hematuria, traumatic swelling and pain, snake bites, carbuncles and furuncles, summer‑heat warmth diseases, and mumps (parotitis). The Quanguo Zhongcaoyao Huibian (Compilation of National Chinese Herbal Medicines) records that it can be used for "preventing mumps and epidemic encephalitis B, and treating sore throat; for external use, treating snake bites, traumatic swelling and pain, and carbuncles and furuncles".
Modern Pharmacology
Its modern clinical application is mainly for the treatment of edema.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 15–60 g. For topical application: appropriate amount, fresh herb mashed for application.
Contraindications
Use with caution in patients with Spleen‑Stomach deficiency‑cold.
Selected Formulas
For wind‑cold cough (Fujian Materia Medica) Take 15g each of Jiadidou (a local herb) and Yizhihuanghua (Solidago decurrens), and 9g of Lianqiancao (Glechoma longituba). Decoct in water and drink. For gonorrhea (Fujian Materia Medica) Take 30-60g of Jiadidou and 15-24g of Cheqiancao (Plantago asiatica). Decoct in water, add rock sugar, and drink. For hepatitis (Fujian Materia Medica) Take 30g each of Jiadidou, Zhizigen (Gardenia root), Baiying (Solanum lyratum), and Mabiancao (Verbena officinalis) root. Decoct in water and drink. For leukorrhea (Fujian Materia Medica) Take 9g each of Jiadidou and Baijiguanhua (Celosia cristata), 15g of Dini (Melastoma dodecandrum), 12g of Wumei (Prunus mume), and 6g of Haipiaoxiao (cuttlefish bone). Decoct in water and drink. For venomous snake bites (National Compilation of Chinese Herbal Medicine) ① Take equal amounts of Shanhuasheng (Jiadidou) and Tieshaozhou (Lespedeza cuneata), dry and grind into powder, add a small amount of starch, and press into tablets (each containing 0.3g of crude herb). Take 15-20 tablets each time, 2-3 times daily, with warm water; or grind and take with warm water. ② Take 9g each of Shanhuasheng and Baihuasheshecao (Hedyotis diffusa), 6g each of Xuchangqing (Cynanchum paniculatum) and Wuzhuyu (Evodia rutaecarpa). Decoct in water, add wine, and drink. Used for bites from bamboo snakes and cobras.
Medicinal Parts
Whole plant.
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place, protected from moisture and insects.
