Heat-Clearing and toxicity-Removing Herbs
Shui Xian Cai (水苋菜)
Name
Shui Xian Cai (Herba Ammanniae Bacciferae)
Sources
The drug is the dried or fresh whole herb of Ammannia baccifera L. (Family Lythraceae), growing in swampy places or irrigated fields, and distributed in East China, South China, and Hebei, Shaanxi, Hunan, Hubei and Yunnan.
The Effect of 水苋菜
Property
Sweet, bland, cool; heart and kidney meridians entered.
Actions
Clear heat and induce diuresis, eliminate swelling and remove toxicity.
Indications
Heat stranguria, dysmenorrhea, sores and boils, snake bites, ascites, swelling and aching of gum, hemorrhoids, gonorrhea, dysentery.
Dosage and Administrations
Decoct 15~30 g, or pounded into juice with the fresh for oral taking. Proper dosage is for external application, pounded for applying or decocted for washing.
Sources and further reading
We cite classical materia medica and modern reference works. This article is health education, not medical advice.
- Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), Han dynasty.
- Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen, 1578.
- Chinese Pharmacopoeia, current edition — identity, quality and safety monographs.
- NCCIH and WHO reference material on traditional medicine safety.
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