Herba Duchesneae Indicae
Aliases：Can Mei、Ji Guan Guo、Ye Yang Mei、She Han Cao、She Pao Cao、She Pan Cao、Ha Ha Guo、Ma She Guo、Di Mei、Long Tu Zhu、Jiu Long Cao、San Pi Feng、San Pi Feng、San Zhua Long
Shemei (Duchesneae Herba) is a Chinese medicinal herb that clears heat and resolves toxicity. It is the dried whole plant of Duchesnea indica (Andr.) Focke (family Rosaceae).
Efficacy & Actions
Clear heat and resolve toxin, cool the blood and stop bleeding, disperse stasis and reduce swelling.
Indications
Febrile diseases, infantile convulsion (fright epilepsy), common cold, dysentery, jaundice, red eyes (conjunctival congestion), oral sores (aphthous stomatitis), sore throat, mumps (parotitis), furuncles and boils, snake venom poisoning, hematemesis, flooding and spotting (metrorrhagia), irregular menstruation, scald and burn, traumatic injury with swelling and pain.
Modern Pharmacology
This product has anticancer, immunoenhancing, antibacterial, antihypertensive, androgen‑like, and histamine‑like effects, among others.
Ingredients
Flavonoids: Rutin, hyperoside, isoquercitrin, apigenin glucoside, etc. Triterpenoids: Ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, tormentic acid, euscaphic acid. Phenolic acids: Ellagic acid, gallic acid, caffeic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid. Sterols: β-Sitosterol, diosgenin. Coumarins: Shemei glycoside A, shemei glycoside B, brevifolin, scopoletin. Amino acids and saccharides: Contains 17 amino acids (proline, leucine, etc.); fruits contain saccharides, proteins, hexoses, pentoses, etc. Volatile oils: 24 components have been identified. Others: Fruits contain three anthocyanins, including cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside; seed oil is mainly composed of linoleic acid.
Usage & Dosage
1. Internal use: 9–15 g in decoction (30–60 g for fresh herb); or crushed and taken as fresh juice. 2. External use: Appropriate amount, crushed for topical application, or ground into powder for dusting.
Contraindications
It is contraindicated in cases of Spleen and Stomach deficiency cold.
Selected Formulas
1. For common cold with fever and cough (from Shanxi Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 30–60 g of fresh Shemei. Decoct in water and drink. 2. For dysentery and enteritis (from Zhejiang Folk Common Herbal Medicine) Take 15–30 g of the whole plant. Decoct in water and drink. 3. For jaundice (from Guangxi Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 15–30 g of the whole plant. Decoct in water and drink. 4. For red, swollen eyes or corneal opacity (from Henan Chinese Herbal Medicine Manual) Take an appropriate amount of fresh Shemei, crush into a paste, mix with a little egg white, and apply to the eyelids. 5. For sore throat (from Henan Chinese Herbal Medicine Manual) Grind Shemei into a fine powder. Take 6 g each time, mixed with boiling water. 6. For opposite sore (carbuncle on the nape) (from Fujian Materia Medica) Take equal amounts of fresh Shemei and Mailandanye (lantana leaf), add a few grains of cooked rice, crush together, and apply to the affected area. 7. For mumps (from Jiangxi Herbal Medicine Manual) Take 30–60 g of fresh Shemei, crush with a little salt, and apply externally. 8. For herpes zoster (shingles) (from Zhejiang Folk Common Herbal Medicine) Crush fresh whole Shemei to extract the juice, and apply externally. 9. For acute mastitis (from Gansu Chinese Herbal Medicine Manual) Take 30–60 g of fresh Shemei, decoct in equal parts of wine and water, and drink. 10. For scrofula (tuberculous lymphadenitis) (from Shanghai Common Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 30–60 g of fresh Shemei herb, rinse, decoct in water, and drink. 11. For hematemesis (vomiting blood) and hemoptysis (from Mindong Bencao) Take 30–60 g of fresh Shemei herb, crush and squeeze out about one cup of juice, add a small amount of rock sugar, stew, and take.
Daily Consumption
1. Shemei Tea Take 15–25 g of fresh Shemei (or 9–15 g of dried herb). Add 500 mL of water, bring to a boil, then simmer for 3–5 minutes. Strain and drink. Helps clear heat, resolve toxicity, and relieve sore throat. 2. Shemei Jam Take 500 g of fresh Shemei, 200 g of white sugar, and 15 g of lemon juice. Simmer over low heat until thick. Serve with bread. 3. Shemei Wine Take 500 g of fresh Shemei, 200 g of rock sugar, and 500 mL of white liquor (≥35% alcohol). Seal and infuse for 1–2 months. Drink in moderation. 4. Shemei Decoction (Medicinal Use) Take 15–30 g of dried Shemei herb (60 g if fresh). Decoct in water for 20 minutes, then strain and drink. Clears heat, cools the blood, and reduces swelling. Note: Shemei is cold and cool in nature. Contraindicated during pregnancy, and for those with spleen‑stomach deficiency‑cold or frequent loose stools. Do not exceed the recommended dosage.
Medicinal Parts
whole herb/ whole plant
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry container in a cool, dry place.