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Cura x Cura

Ji Xue Cao积雪草

Centellae Herba · Centella · Gotu Kola

Herbs that Clear Heat 清热药Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing 《神农本草经》

Overview

Known in the West as gotu kola: a creeping herb that drains damp-heat and cools blood while resolving toxicity. Taken internally it addresses damp-heat jaundice, hot painful urination and sores; applied externally, the crushed fresh herb is a traditional dressing for burns, bruises and slow-healing wounds — the use behind its modern cosmetic reputation. Bitter, acrid and cold, it is a clearing herb and not a tonic.

Nature & Flavor

Bitter, acrid · Cold

Channels

Liver · Spleen · Kidney

Typical Dosage

15–30 g in decoction
积雪草Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Clears heat, drains dampnessDamp-heat jaundice, hot painful or bloody urination, damp-heat diarrhea.
  • Cools blood, resolves toxicityHot boils and sores, insect bites, toxic swellings.
  • Disperses stasis, reduces swellingTraumatic bruising and swelling; the fresh herb is crushed and applied over the site.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Ji Xue Cao

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

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Damp-heat jaundice, hot painful urination
    - Boils, sores and toxic swellings
    - Bruising, sprains and slow-healing wounds (topical)

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Wound healingJaundiceUrinary tract infectionCellulitis

Contraindications

Cautions

Cold and clearing: unsuitable in Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold with loose stools, and not intended for continuous long-term use. Concentrated Centella extracts sold as supplements are a different preparation from the decocted herb; case reports have linked prolonged use of such extracts with liver irritation, so stop and seek review if jaundice, dark urine or unexplained fatigue appears.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Avoid in pregnancy unless a practitioner has assessed the case — it is cold, blood-cooling and stasis-dispersing.

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.