Lagerstroemia, Crepe Myrtle, Zi Wei 紫薇 Crape Myrtle Zi Wei (TCM) –Zi Wei Gen (Root) –Zi Wei Hua (Flower) –Zi Wei Ye (Leaf) Pavalak-Kurinji, Sinappu (Siddha)

Lagerstroemia indica
Wight, R., Illustrations of Indian botany (1840-1850)

Crepe Myrtle flower
(Photo by JardineriaOn) (Wikimedia)

Botanical name:

Lagerstroemia indica

Parts used:

Root, Leaf, Flower

Temperature & Taste:

Cool, dry. Bitter

Uses:

ROOT & BARK:
1. Clears Heat and Damp, Resists Poison:
-Dysentery, Jaundice, Edema from heat and damp (root)
-Abdominal distention
-Toxic Sore and Swellings; Boils, Abscesses, Ulcers, Eczema, Erysipelas
-Acute Sore Throat
-Snake and Insect Bites (bark)
–Tripterygium wilfordii poisoning (Barefoot Doctors Manual)
-Burns and Scalds (topically)

2. Moves the Blood, Stops Bleeding, Eases Pain:
-Amenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea, Irregular Menstruation
-Trauma
-Postpartum Abdominal Pain
-Hemoptysis, Vomiting Blood, Blood in the Stool

3. Clears Wind-Damp, Eases Pain:
-Rheumatic Arthritis
-Migraine
-Toothache (as a gargle)


FLOWER & LEAF
1. Clears Heat, Resists Poison:
-Dysentery (leaf)
-Cough, Whooping Cough
-Boils, Eczema (leaf, flower)
-leaf and flower is mildly purgative

2. Moves the Blood, Stops Bleeding:
-Uterine Bleeding, Postpartum Bleeding (flower); Irregular Menses (leaf)
-Vaginal Discharge
-Bleeding from Trauma (leaf); paste is applied to Trauma and Dislocation
-Hemoptysis, Hematemesis, blood in the Stool (leaf)

Dose:

Leaf, Bark and Root can be used in similar doses.
Leaf, Bark or Root in Decoction: 9–15 grams

Main Combinations:

1. Eczema, decoct the leaves (or root), drink the tea and apply a paste of the leaf topically.
2. Dysentery, Crape Myrtle root (15 grams), Pulsatilla Bai Tou Weng
3. Burns and Scalds, decoct the root and use as a wash

Major Formulas:

Cautions:

1. Not used during Pregnancy
2. Seed is reputedly narcotic

Main Preparations used: