Shuihonghua Plaster: An External Formula for Dissolving Abdominal Masses

The Chinese medicine Shuihonghua is the seed of Polygonum orientale (red knotweed, Polygonaceae); red knotweed is also called wild pepper, and both its seeds and leaves have a pungent taste. Shuihonghua seeds were used as medicine by the ancient Chinese very early on. TCM holds that Shuihonghua seeds dispel wind and dampness, clear heat and resolve toxin, invigorate blood and reduce swelling, and stop malaria; they can treat edema, beriberi, carbuncles, sores, and deep-toxic boils. Shuihonghua seeds have a marked diuretic action and a certain antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect.

Many contemporary TCM physicians use Shuihonghua seeds to treat liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and hepatic ascites, with some effect, though mostly administered orally. Li Shizhen's Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica) records an external-use method for Shuihonghua seeds. Take an appropriate amount of Shuihonghua seeds alone, decoct with a combination of strong and gentle fire using mulberry firewood into a plaster, spread on paper, and make into an external plaster; this can also dissipate glomus and nodules. Shuihonghua plaster is used to treat abdominal glomus masses, which here should refer to liver cirrhosis or liver cancer.

Shuihonghua seeds taken orally can be used as an adjuvant for ascites; made into a plaster and externally applied to the affected area and the navel, delivering medication transdermally, they also have an adjunctive therapeutic effect on ascites.