白花蛇舌草

Naming

Bai Hua She She Cao (Herba Hedyotidis Diffusae)——Guang Xi Zhong Yao Zhi (Records on Chinese Herbs of Guangxi)

1. Bai Hua She She Cao
2. Herba Hedyotidis Diffusae
3. Spreading Hedyotis Herb

The Processing of 白花蛇舌草

Origin

The entire plants of Oldenlandia diffusa (Willd.) Roxb of family Rubiaceae.

Location

Southern provinces of Yangtze River Valley.

Harvest

Collected in summer and autumn.

The actual smell and taste

Light smell and bland taste.

Best quality

Dryness, grayish green in color-twisting and tangling in agglomerate shape, and leafiness.

Processing

Cut into segments and unprocessed.

The Effect of 白花蛇舌草

Property

Slightly bitter, cold; stomach, large intestine and small intestine meridians entered.

Actions

Clear heat and remove toxicity, excrete dampness and relieve stranguria.

Indications

A. Sores and abscess, swollen and sore throat, venomous snake bite

With the stronger actions of clearing heat and removing toxicity, it can be used either orally or topically to treat all syndromes caused by heat-toxicity. For abscess and sores, its pounded fresh product can be used topically and it is often combined with Zi Hua Di Ding, Lian Qiao, and Ye Ju Hua which are good at clearing heat, removing toxicity and curing abscess to improve the therapeutic effects. For intestinal abscess with abdominal pain, it is usually combined with Da Huang, Da Xue Teng, Bai Jiang Cao and Mu Dan Pi which are specialized in removing toxicity and cooling blood, activating blood and relieving pain. For swollen and sore throat, it is often combined with herbs excelling in removing toxicity and alleviating sore throat, such as She Gan and Ban Lan Gen, etc. For venomous snake bite, its pounded fresh juicy can be taken directly or after decocting. Meanwhile, the dregs arc applied on the affected area, thus to gain a better effect. It can also be combined with Ban Bian Lian, Zi Hua Di Ding and Chong Lou, etc.

For its action of clearing heat, removing toxicity and relieving swelling, it is widely indicated for various kinds of cancers under the condition of internal excessive heat-toxicity.

B. Heat stranguria with painful urination

With the actions of clearing heat and removing dampness, and inducing diuresis and relieving stranguria, it can be used to treat stranguria syndrome due to damp-heat manifested as dribbling, difficult and painful urination, it is advisable to be combined with Che Qian Cao, Shi Wei and Bai Mao Gen which excel in inducing diuresis and relieving stranguria.

Dosage and Administrations

Decoct 15~60 g. Proper dosage is for topical application.