Ma Bian Cao馬鞭草
Herba VerbenaeVerbena
Also known asEuropean Verbena · Iron Herb · Vervain
- Category
- Herbs that Invigorate the Blood
- Nature
- slightly cold
- Taste
- bitter
- Channels entered
- Liver, Spleen
- Secondary channels
- Bladder
- Dosage
- 4.5–30 g
Actions & indications
- Invigorates the Blood, reduces abdominal masses, cools the Blood and unblocks the menses
- Dysmenorrhea or amenorrhea due to Blood Stasis
- Abdominal masses (can be used as a stand-alone herb in decoction chased by warm wine)
- Clears Heat and resolves toxicity
- Severe sore throat, throat Bi, and other accumulations of Heat toxin including breast abscess (use the macerated fresh herb), swollen, painful gums
- Facilitates urination and checks malarial disorders
- Internal blockage of Dampness with edema or ascites
- Malarial disorders (use the fresh juice)
- Promotes urination and reduces edema
- Edema, ascites and water accumulation during the later stages of parasitic infections
Contraindications
- Use with caution during pregnancy.
- Contraindicated with Spleen Yin Deficiency.
- Contraindicated with Stomach Qi Deficiency.
Combinations
Dysmenorrhea and amenorrhea from Blood Stasis.
Abdominal masses.
Joint pain and traumatic injury.
Carbuncles and sores.
- Shi Gao
- Zhi Mu
Swollen, painful gums.
- She Gan
- Shan Dou Gen
- Ma Bo
Sore throat.
Diarrhea or dysentery.
Edema and leg Qi.
Ascites.
Notes
- This herb also has an antiparasitic action.
- It is especially effective when Blood Stasis results from Blood Heat drying and congealing the Blood.
- Applied topically, it treats wounds from metal objects as well as swollen sores.
- One source states that it relieves Damp-Heat diarrhea.