bubble_chart Source This product is the root of the cruciferous plant Isatis indigotica (Isatis indigotica L.); or the rhizome and root of the creeping rostellularia herb Baphicacanthus cusia (Baphicacanthus cusia (Nees) Brem.). It is harvested in autumn, cleaned of mud and sand, and dried in the sun.
bubble_chart Properties and Meridians
Bitter, cold. act on heart and stomach channels.
bubble_chart Efficacy
Clearing heat and removing toxin, cooling blood benifiting pharynx.
bubble_chart Indications
Primarily used for warm febrile disease fever, headache, sore throat, or warm toxin disease, mumps, painful swelling sores and toxins, erysipelas, swollen-head infection epidemic, and other conditions characterized by intense heat toxin. This product has a similar effect to Dyers Woad leaf in clearing heat and removing toxin, cooling blood, but is particularly noted for its efficacy in removing toxin and benefiting the pharynx, as well as dispersing nodules. It is often combined with Lonicera, Forsythia, Schizonepeta, etc., for external contraction of wind-heat, fever, headache, or the initial stages of warm disease presenting the aforementioned symptoms and signs. For treating swollen-head infection epidemic, with symptoms such as red and swollen face and head, and throat discomfort, it is commonly used in combination with Scrophularia Root, Forsythia, Great Burdock Achene, etc., as in Universal Relief Decoction for Eliminating Toxin.
bubble_chart Documentation
- Rihuazi Bencao: "Treats epidemic heat toxin."
- 《Classification of Herbal Medicinal Properties》: "Resolves various toxic sores, disperses toxins and reduces fire, pound the juice and take orally or apply topically."
bubble_chart Usage and Dosage
Decoct and take 10-15g.
bubble_chart Cautions and Contraindications
Deficiency-cold of the spleen and stomach is contraindicated.
bubble_chart Modern Pharmacology
Isatis root contains indigo, indirubin, β-sitosterol, windmill palm acid, uridine, hypoxanthine, uracil, indigo ketone, and daucosterol, among others. Horse isatis root contains indigo, β-sitosterol, anthraquinones, and triterpenoids, among other components. Isatis root has inhibitory effects on various Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and viruses; it can enhance immune function and has a certain inhibitory effect on ADP-induced platelet aggregation.
