Xian Feng Cao咸豐草

Herba BidentisBidens

Also known asHerba Bidens Bipinnata - *Gui Zhen Cao -* 鬼针草 · Sticktight · Demon Needle Plant · Ghost Spike Plant

Category: ** Herbs that Clear Heat and Detoxify; Target Warm and Heat Diseases
Nature: neutral
Taste: sweet, bland, bitter
Channels entered: Kidney, Small Intestine, Bladder, Liver, Spleen, Large Intestine
Dosage: 6–30 g

Usual doses

Reduces inflammation, clears Heat, removes toxicity and promotes urination (clears Heat and Dampness from the Intestines): Appendicitis, nephritis, dysentery, urinary tract infection, cystitis, diabetes, jaundice and hepatitis
Invigorates the Blood, dissipates Blood Stasis, reduces swelling, drains pus and generates flesh: Hemorrhoids and toxic swellings
Expels Wind-Heat: Influenza, sore throat
Disperses Stasis, eases pain and treats incised wounds: Incised wounds

In summer it can be taken as a beverage to prevent Summerheat.
Used alone, it can be applied topically for toxic swellings.
Its nature is described as sweet and bland with a neutral property, although some sources call it bitter instead; listed applications include influenza, sore and swollen throat, enteritis, dysentery, jaundice, intestinal carbuncle, childhood epilepsy, infant malnutrition, and hemorrhoids.
Other sources credit it with treating rheumatoid arthritis, sprains, insect and scorpion stings, diarrhea, dysentery, hepatitis, acute nephritis, stomach ache, and sore throat.
Its decoction is said to cure dysentery, throat pain, dysphagia, vomiting, cardiac spasm and esophageal dilatation, and is effective for removing toxins, stopping diarrhea and clearing Heat.
It has been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth.
In recent years it has also been used to treat cecitis.
For esophageal cancer, 15-30 grams per day is decocted and taken by mouth.
Combined with Fr. Arctii Niu Bang Zi and blended with pig fat, it can be applied externally to heal a cut finger.
Said to be bitter in taste, mild in nature and non-toxic, it is mainly used — both internally and externally — for spider and fly bites.
External application is also said to treat scorpion stings.