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Cura x Cura

Bai Lian白蔹

Ampelopsis Radix · Ampelopsis Root

Herbs that Clear Heat 清热药《神农本草经》

Overview

A sores-and-swellings herb used at both ends of a lesion's life: bitter, acrid and slightly cold, it cools heat toxin and disperses a swelling that is still hard and hot, and then, once the surface has opened, it dries the discharge and encourages the wound to close. It is used internally in modest doses and externally as a powder or paste — burns, chronic ulcers and cracked skin are its everyday external indications.

Nature & Flavor

Bitter, acrid · Slightly cold

Channels

Heart · Stomach

Typical Dosage

4.5–9 g in decoction
白蔹Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Clears heat toxin, disperses swellingHot, hard, painful boils and abscesses in the early stage, before pus has formed.
  • Softens nodulesScrofulous nodules along the neck and other stubborn hard swellings, in a combination.
  • Dries the surface, closes the woundExternal use on burns, weeping ulcers that will not close, and chapped, cracked skin.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Bai Lian

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

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Early-stage hot boils and abscesses, before suppuration
    - Scrofulous neck nodules and hard swellings
    - Burns and scalds, externally
    - Chronic non-healing ulcers and cracked skin, externally

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

BoilsAbscessBurnsChronic ulcersLymphadenitis

Contraindications

Cautions

Classical incompatibility: Bai Lian is not combined with the aconite group — Chuan Wu, Cao Wu and Fu Zi, raw or processed. Being cold, it is unsuitable in Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold and in sores of a cold, deficient type with thin watery discharge. A spreading skin infection, or one with fever, needs conventional medical assessment as well.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Use with caution in pregnancy — internal use only on a practitioner's prescription.

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.