Herb Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity

Bai Hua She She Cao

Oldenlandia | 白花蛇舌草

Hedyotis Diffusae Herba

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TCM Properties

Temperature

Cold

Taste

Bitter

Organ Affinity

Heart, Large Intestine, Liver, Lungs

Parts Used

Whole plants

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Bai Hua She She Cao

Traditional Actions

Clear Toxic-Heat
Promote urination

Key TCM Concepts

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Bai Hua She She Cao belongs to the 'Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity' category. Herbs in this category are used to clear inflammatory and infectious conditions, referred to as 'Internal Heat' in TCM. This is why most of the herbs in this category will have both antibacterial and antiviral properties. In TCM one has too much 'Internal Heat' in their body as a result of a deficiency of 'Yin' (which is Cold in nature, see our explanation on Yin and Yang) or, more commonly, an Excess of Yang (Hot in nature). Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity treat the latter while, at the same time, removing infectious toxins from the body. As such they tend to be Cold or Neutral in nature.

 

As suggested by its category Bai Hua She She Cao is Cold in nature. This means that Bai Hua She She Cao typically helps people who have too much 'Heat' in their body. Balance between Yin and Yang is a key health concept in TCM. Those who have too much Heat in their body are said to either have a Yang Excess (because Yang is Hot in nature) or a Yin deficiency (Yin is Cold in Nature). Depending on your condition Bai Hua She She Cao can help restore a harmonious balance between Yin and Yang.

 

Bai Hua She She Cao also tastes Bitter. The so-called 'Five Phases' theory in Chinese Medicine states that the taste of TCM ingredients is a key determinant of their action in the body. Bitter ingredients like Bai Hua She She Cao tends to have a cleansing action on the body by clearing Heat, drying Dampness and promoting elimination via urination or bowel movements.

 

The tastes of ingredients in TCM also determine what Organs and Meridians they target. As such Bai Hua She She Cao is thought to target the Heart, the Large intestine, the Liver and the Lung. In addition to regulating Blood flow, in TCM the Heart is believed to be the store of the 'Mind' which basically refers to someone's vitality. The Large Intestine on the other hand receives the "impure" parts of the digested food from the Small Intestine, absorbs the remaining fluids and excrete the remainder as feces. The Liver is often referred as the body's "general" because it is in charge of regulating the movements of Qi and the Body Fluids. It also takes a leading role in balancing our emotions. In addition to performing respiration, the Lungs are thought in TCM to be a key part of the production chain for Qi and the Body Fluids that nourish the body.

Common Applications

Swollen throat Throat pain Coughing Wheezing Edema Snake bites Hepatitis Appendicitis Tonsilitis Urinary system infection Intestinal abscess Dysentery Jaundice Malignant tumor Carbuncles Furuncles Sore Enteritis Cancer

Preparation & Dosage

Traditional and modern methods for preparing Bai Hua She She Cao

Traditional Preparation

Collect the herb, remove impurities, clean and dry.

Recommended Dosage

Note: The following information is provided for educational purposes only and is not meant to replace professional medical advice.

15-30g

Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Bai Hua She She Cao

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before using any herb or supplement.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many herbs, Bai Hua She She Cao may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herb-drug interactions.

Related Educational Resources

Formulas Containing Bai Hua She She Cao

Discover traditional and modern TCM formulas that use Bai Hua She She Cao as an ingredient to understand its clinical applications.

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