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Cura x Cura

Bai Xian Pi白鲜皮

Dictamni Cortex · Dictamnus Root Bark · Densefruit Pittany Root Bark

Herbs that Clear Heat 清热药《神农本草经》

Overview

The skin specialist among the heat-clearing, damp-drying medicinals: bitter and cold, it drains damp-heat out of the skin and channels and settles the wind that drives itching, which is why it appears in so many eczema, urticaria and weeping-sore formulas — taken internally and decocted as a wash.

Nature & Flavor

Bitter · Cold

Channels

Spleen · Stomach · Bladder

Typical Dosage

5–10 g in decoction
白鲜皮Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Clears heat, dries dampnessRed, weeping, crusted skin lesions with heat and oozing; damp-heat sores.
  • Dispels wind, stops itchingIntense itching that moves and changes place — urticaria, rubella-type rashes, chronic eczema.
  • Drains damp, relieves jaundice and painful obstructionDamp-heat jaundice, and damp-heat painful obstruction with red, hot, swollen joints.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Bai Xian Pi

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

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Damp-heat skin disease: eczema, weeping sores, crusted lesions
    - Wind-heat itching, urticaria
    - Damp-heat jaundice
    - Hot, swollen painful obstruction of the joints

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

EczemaUrticariaDermatitisJaundice

Contraindications

Cautions

Bitter and cold: wrong for skin conditions arising from blood deficiency and dryness, and for Spleen–Stomach deficiency cold. Case reports have linked Dictamni Cortex — typically in longer courses or in combination products — to drug-induced liver injury; avoid it where liver disease is already present, keep courses short, and arrange liver function testing if it is used over an extended period.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Use with caution in pregnancy — practitioner supervision 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.