The source is from the root of Rubia Cordifolia L., family Rubiaceae. The medicinal material is produced in all parts of China. Dug and collected in spring and autumn, dried in the sun and the crude or fried one is used.

Medicinal Properties: Bitter in flavor, cold in nature and attributive to the liver meridian.

Actions: Cool the blood to stop bleeding, promote blood circulation to remove blood stasis.

Application
1. It is used for various kinds of bleedings due to blood-heat and blood stasis. The crude one is used for cooling blood to stop bleeding; the fried one can stop bleeding as well as promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, but the carbonized one is used for bleeding without blood stasis. It is usually used in combination with Daji (Radix Cirsii Japonici ), Xiaoji (Herba Cephalanoplods), and Cebaiye (Cacumen Biotae), etc., such as Shihui San (Powder)
2. It is used for amenorrhea due to blood stasis, traumatic pain, Bi-syndrome with arthralgia.
Amenorrhea can be treated with it in combination with Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis ),
Xiangfu ( Rhizoma Cyperi ), and Chishaoyao (Radix Paeoniae Rubra), etc.; traumatic pain can be treated with the single soaked in wine or that in combination with Honghua (Flos Carthami ), Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis ) and Chuanxiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong), etc.; Arthralgia can be treated with it in combination with Jixueteng ( Caulis Spatholobi), Haifengteng ( Caulis Piperis Futokadsurae ) and Yanhusuo ( Rhzoma Corydalis ) .

Usage and Dosage:
10 - 15 g is used in decoction for oral use; the carbonized one is used for stopping bleeding; the crude one or the one stir-baked with wine is used for promoting circulation of the blood; just right amount for external use.