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Pei Lan佩兰

Eupatorii Herba · Fortune Eupatorium Herb

Aromatic Herbs that Transform Dampness 化湿药《神农本草经》

Overview

An aromatic herb of the late-summer damp season. Acrid and neutral, entering the Spleen, Stomach and Lung, it transforms turbid dampness and rouses a Spleen that has gone dull — the signal being a sweetish, greasy taste in the mouth over a thick slimy tongue coat. It is added near the end of the decoction so its volatile oils are not boiled off, and it is very often paired with Huo Xiang 藿香.

Nature & Flavor

Acrid · Neutral

Channels

Spleen · Stomach · Lung

Typical Dosage

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

Actions

2 core actions

  • Aromatically transforms dampness, rouses the SpleenEpigastric fullness, nausea, no appetite and that sticky sweetish taste in the mouth with a greasy tongue coat.
  • Releases summerheatSummertime damp-heat with a heavy head, aching body, low fever and no sweat — usually with Huo Xiang 藿香.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Pei Lan

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

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Damp obstruction of the middle with fullness and poor appetite
    - A sweet, greasy taste in the mouth over a thick slimy coat
    - Summerheat-damp with head heaviness and body ache
    - Nausea from turbid dampness

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

DyspepsiaNauseaAnorexiaHeat exhaustion

Contraindications

Cautions

Aromatic and drying: use it carefully where yin and fluids are already depleted, and not at high doses over long stretches. Not toxic.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: No specific restriction — practitioner judgment applies

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing《神农本草经》, as Lan Cao 兰草 (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.