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Bai Jiang Cao败酱草

Patriniae Herba · Patrinia · Thlaspi Herb

Herbs that Clear Heat 清热药《神农本草经》

Overview

Named for its fermented smell, this is the classical herb for an abscess forming inside the abdomen. Acrid, bitter and slightly cold, it clears heat toxin, expels pus and — unusually for its class — moves stagnant blood, which is why it eases the fixed, stabbing quality of internal abscess pain. Zhang Zhong-jing's Yi Yi Fu Zi Bai Jiang San is its defining formula.

Nature & Flavor

Acrid, bitter · Slightly cold

Channels

Stomach · Large Intestine · Liver

Typical Dosage

6–15 g in decoction
败酱草Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Clears heat toxin, expels pusIntestinal and pelvic abscess with fixed lower abdominal pain; lung abscess with foul sputum.
  • Moves stagnant blood, relieves painPostpartum abdominal pain from retained stasis; fixed, stabbing abdominal pain.
  • Drains damp-heat belowDamp-heat vaginal discharge and pelvic inflammation, usually in a combination.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Bai Jiang Cao

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Internal abscess with fixed lower abdominal pain, alongside medical care
    - Pelvic inflammatory pain with damp-heat discharge
    - Postpartum abdominal pain from blood stasis
    - Lung abscess with foul-smelling sputum

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

AppendicitisPelvic inflammatory diseaseAbscessPostpartum pain

Contraindications

Cautions

Cold and blood-moving: not for Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold, and used with caution in pregnancy because of the blood-moving action. Acute, severe or worsening abdominal pain is a surgical question first — suspected appendicitis needs urgent conventional assessment, and this herb is used alongside that care, never instead of it.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Use with caution in pregnancy — it moves blood; practitioner prescription required.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing《神农本草经》(classical source, public domain).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.

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.