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Cura x Cura

Da Qing Ye大青叶

Isatidis Folium · Isatis Leaf · Woad Leaf

Herbs that Clear Heat 清热药《名医别录》

Overview

The leaf of woad, gathered from the same plant whose root is Ban Lan Gen. Bitter and very cold, it drains blazing heat and toxin from the qi level and the blood level at the same time, which is why it belongs to short, decisive courses in acute febrile and eruptive illness rather than to long chronic treatment.

Nature & Flavor

Bitter · Cold

Channels

Heart · Stomach

Typical Dosage

9–15 g in decoction
大青叶Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Clears heat and resolves toxicityHigh fever with thirst and irritability, red swollen sore throat, mouth and tongue sores, mumps — the early, heat-dominant stage of a warm disease.
  • Cools the blood and disperses maculaeHeat that has entered the blood level with dark purple maculae, nosebleed or bleeding gums.
  • Reduces heat-toxin swellingsErysipelas, hot painful boils and swollen glands; the decoction is also used as an external wash or compress.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Da Qing Ye

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

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Acute fever with sore, swollen throat
    - Mouth and tongue ulceration, mumps
    - Purple maculae, nosebleed or gum bleeding from blood-level heat
    - Hot skin sores and erysipelas

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

PharyngitisMumpsViral feverMouth ulcersErysipelas

Contraindications

Cautions

Very cold and draining. Not appropriate for Spleen or Stomach deficiency cold with poor appetite and loose stools, and not for fever arising from external wind-cold. Keep courses short and tied to an active heat pattern rather than taking it as a daily preventive.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Not a classical pregnancy prohibition, but its coldness makes it unsuitable for routine use in pregnancy — the treating practitioner decides.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Ming Yi Bie Lu《名医别录》(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.