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Cura x Cura

Bai Hua She She Cao白花蛇舌草

Hedyotidis Diffusae Herba · Hedyotis · Oldenlandia · Snake-tongue Grass

Herbs that Clear Heat 清热药《广西中药志》

Overview

A slender field herb that rose to prominence in twentieth-century practice rather than in the classics. Slightly bitter, sweet and cold, it clears heat and resolves toxicity — sores, abscesses, hot swollen throats, snakebite — and drains damp-heat downward through the urine. It appears widely in modern Chinese supportive prescriptions, often with Ban Zhi Lian; that use belongs to the treating practitioner and does not replace conventional medical care.

Nature & Flavor

slightly bitter, sweet · Cold

Channels

Stomach · Large Intestine · Small Intestine

Typical Dosage

15–60 g in decoction
白花蛇舌草Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Clears heat, resolves toxicityBoils, abscesses, hot swollen sore throat, appendicular abscess and snakebite, usually in a combination.
  • Drains damp, eases painful urinationDamp-heat urinary burning and dribbling; damp-heat jaundice.
  • Used in supportive prescriptionsCommonly included in modern heat-toxin formulas as an adjunct alongside conventional care — a practitioner decision, never a substitute for it.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Bai Hua She She Cao

No published formula lists this herb yet — the library is growing.

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Hot, painful boils, abscesses and skin infections
    - Sore, hot, swollen throat
    - Damp-heat urinary burning and dribbling
    - Damp-heat in the lower burner with jaundice

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

CellulitisAbscessPharyngitisUrinary tract infectionAppendicitis

Contraindications

Cautions

Cold and draining: not for Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold with loose stools, and not a herb for long unsupervised courses at the upper end of the range. It is used with caution in pregnancy. Serious infection, a hot abdomen or a spreading skin infection needs conventional medical assessment first — this herb is an adjunct, not a substitute.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Use with caution in pregnancy, and only on a practitioner's prescription.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    2. 《中华人民共和国药典》.
    3. 《中华本草》.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.