Caffeic acid is found in many plants, such as polygonum aviculatum, goshen, menthol, valerian, eucommia ulmoides, polygonum aviculatum, lemon peel, stormweed, dandelion, etc. Caffeic acid is more abundant in hawthorn, coffee and lemon.
Caffeic acid is a pale yellow powder, which is easy to dissolve in hot water and cold ethanol, but insoluble in cold water. Caffeic acid contains unsaturated double bonds in its molecular structure, which is easy to be oxidized and unstable in alkaline solution. Caffeic acid aqueous solution will appear green when it meets ferric chloride.
Caffeic acid free radicals is clear, can be reduced iron ion chelating ability, of low density lipoprotein oxidation inhibition effect, also can have the effect of partial inhibition of skin damage caused by ultraviolet light, in the clinical treatment, caffeic acid, as one of the commonly used drugs, can be used to stimulate white blood cells, improve the level of platelet, shorten the clotting time and bleeding time.