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Hai Tong Pi海桐皮

Erythrinae seu Kalopanax Cortex · Erythrina Bark · Kalopanax Bark

Herbs that Dispel Wind-Dampness 祛风湿药《海药本草》

Overview

A bark used both for wind-damp joint pain and for itchy, damp skin: bitter, acrid and neutral, it dispels wind-damp and frees the channels taken internally, and kills parasites and stops itching when used as an external wash. Two botanically unrelated barks — Erythrina and Kalopanax — circulate under this one name, which is why the pharmaceutical name carries both.

Nature & Flavor

Bitter, acrid · Neutral

Channels

Liver

Typical Dosage

5–15 g in decoction
海桐皮Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

2 core actions

  • Dispels wind-damp, frees the channelsAching, heavy joints, low back and leg pain, knees that are hard to bend — often with wine-steeped or warming companions.
  • Kills parasites, stops itchingUsed externally as a wash or soak for ringworm, scabies and itchy damp rashes.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Hai Tong Pi

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

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Wind-damp painful obstruction, especially of the low back and legs
    - Stiff, cramping sinews
    - Topically: ringworm, scabies, itchy damp skin lesions

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

ArthritisLow back painTineaScabies

Contraindications

Cautions

Drying and dispersing: unsuitable in blood deficiency where the sinews are undernourished. Because two different barks are traded under this name, confirm what the dispensary actually supplies rather than assuming, and keep the external wash off broken skin.

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

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. 《中华人民共和国药典》.
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华本草》.

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.