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Knowledge baseHerbs

Bai Xian Pi白鲜皮

Cortex DictamniChinese Dittany Root Cortex

Also known asDictamnus Root Bark · Dense Fruit Dittany Root Bark

Category
Herbs That Clean Heat and Detoxify; Target Warm and Heat Diseases
Nature
cold
Taste
bitter
Channels entered
Spleen, Stomach
Dosage
4–16 g

Usual doses

Dosage
4–16 g
Tincture
2–4 ml

Actions & indications

Clears Heat, resolves Fire-toxicity, expels Wind and dries Dampness
  • Wind-Heat or Damp-Heat sores (carbuncles, and rashes) with copious pus, leaking of yellow fluid, moist skin and pruritis
  • Damp-Heat Bi
  • Damp-Heat jaundice
Clears Damp-Heat and stops itching
Vaginal pruritis with itching

Contraindications

  • Contraindicated in pregnancy.
  • Use with caution in patients with atopic conditions such as eczema, or a history of liver disease.
  • Use with caution in those with impaired Liver function.
  • Use with caution in those with Deficiency Cold.

Incompatibilities

  • Counteracts Rx. Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Bei Xie.
  • Counteracts Rx. Platycodi Jie Geng.
  • Counteracts Poria Fu Ling.

Interactions

This herb may enhance the effect of the microtubule inhibitors vincristine, vinblastine and paclitaxel.

Combinations

Notes

  • This herb clears Damp-Heat that has settled in the blood vessels of the muscles and flesh.
  • It also relieves itching.
  • It drains Heat by promoting urination.
  • It is especially suited to Damp-Heat in the Lower Jiao and to itchy Damp-Heat skin conditions.
  • According to one source, it also sharpens the senses.
  • Studies have found it inhibits cancer-cell growth.
  • Some texts regard it as a key herb for jaundice and Wind Bi.
  • It is also credited with dispersing Stagnation and opening the channels.
  • For pus- and blood-discharging ulcerated scrofula, 40ml of the decoction is taken.
  • Bai Xian Pi and Rx. Sophorae Flavescentis Ku Shen both clear Damp-Heat from the Lower Jiao and the skin and both promote urination; Ku Shen additionally expels Wind and kills parasites, making it more suited to itching and vaginal discharge, while Bai Xian Pi is preferred for Wind-Damp-Bi or Damp-Bi with Heat signs.

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