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Ban Zhi Lian半枝莲

Scutellariae Barbatae Herba · Barbat Skullcap

Herbs that Clear Heat 清热药

Overview

A cooling heat-toxin herb with a second, quieter action: it also moves blood and water, which is why it is applied to sores and swellings but equally to damp accumulation with heat. In contemporary Chinese practice it appears in supportive formulas prescribed alongside conventional oncology care — it is not itself a treatment for cancer and must never displace medical care.

Nature & Flavor

Acrid, bitter · Cold

Channels

Lung · Liver · Kidney

Typical Dosage

15–30 g in decoction; also mashed fresh for topical use
半枝莲Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Clears heat, resolves toxicitySores, carbuncles, hot swollen throat and inflamed bites; used internally and as a poultice.
  • Dispels stasis, stops bleedingTraumatic injury with swelling and bruising, and bleeding where stasis rather than deficiency is the cause.
  • Promotes urination, reduces swellingEdema, abdominal fluid accumulation and damp-heat jaundice.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Ban Zhi Lian

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

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Sores, carbuncles and inflamed swellings
    - Traumatic injury with bruising and swelling
    - Edema, abdominal fluid accumulation, damp-heat jaundice

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

AbscessCellulitisHepatitisAscites

Contraindications

Cautions

It moves blood as well as clearing heat: use it carefully in patients with a bleeding tendency or on anticoagulant medication such as warfarin, and avoid it in blood deficiency without heat. Prolonged high-dose use injures the Spleen. Where it is used alongside oncology treatment, the treating oncology team must be told, since herb–drug interaction cannot be assessed otherwise.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Avoid in pregnancy — its blood-moving action makes it unsuitable

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. 《中药学》(standard materia medica curriculum).

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.