Herba Rabdosiae Serrae / Herba Rabdosiae Lophanthoidis
Aliases：Xiong Dan Cao、Xue Feng Cao、Xi Gou Cao、Shan Yang Mian、Tai Wan Yan Hu Suo、Tu Huang Lian、Xiang Cha Cai、Shan Xiong Dan、Huang Zhi Cao
Xihuangcao (Rabdosiae Herba) is a Chinese medicinal herb that clears heat and removes dampness. It is the dried whole plant of Rabdosia serra (Maxim.) Hara and Rabdosia lophanthoides (Buch.‑Ham. ex D. Don) Hara (family Lamiaceae).
Efficacy & Actions
Clear Heat and resolve Toxin, eliminate Dampness to treat jaundice, disperse stasis to reduce swelling.
Indications
It is mainly used for damp-heat jaundice, cholecystitis, diarrhea, dysentery, sores and swellings, and traumatic injury with pain.
Modern Pharmacology
Hepatoprotective and choleretic: Lowers transaminases, alleviates liver injury, improves cholestasis (regulates bile acid transporters such as FXR and BSEP). Also effective against alcohol‑induced liver injury (↓CYP2E1, ↑Nrf2) and acetaminophen‑induced liver injury. Antitumor: Inhibits proliferation of liver cancer, cervical cancer and other cells, induces apoptosis (multi‑component, multi‑target action involving the PI3K‑Akt pathway). Antioxidant: Scavenges free radicals, reduces oxidative stress. Anti‑inflammatory: Suppresses the release of inflammatory factors (NO, TNF‑α, IL‑6). Antibacterial and antiviral: Inhibits certain bacteria and viruses. Immunomodulatory: Enhances immune function.
Ingredients
Diterpenoids: Rabdosianin A, B, D, kamebakaurin A, etc. (core components for antitumor and hepatoprotective effects) Phenolic acids: Rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid (antioxidant, anti‑inflammatory) Flavonoids: Rutin, kaempferol, quercetin (antioxidant, anti‑inflammatory) Polysaccharides: Enhance immunity
Usage & Dosage
Internal use: 15–30 g in decoction. External use: Appropriate amount, crushed for topical application; or ground into powder for rubbing.
Contraindications
Use with caution in cases of Spleen and Stomach deficiency cold.
Selected Formulas
1. For acute jaundice hepatitis (from National Compilation of Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 30 g each of Xihuangcao, Majin (Dichondra herb), Jigucao (Abri Herba), and Cheqiancao (Plantago herb). Decoct in water and drink. 2. For acute cholecystitis (from National Compilation of Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 30 g of Xihuangcao, 9 g of Longdancao (Gentian root), and 12 g of Shanzhizi (Gardenia fruit). Decoct in water and drink. 3. For dysentery and enteritis (from Guangxi Bencao Xuanbian) Option 1: Crush fresh leaves of Rabdosia lophanthoides to extract the juice. Take 5 mL each time, mixed with boiling water. Option 2: Take 9–15 g of the dried herb, decoct in water and drink. Option 3: Grind into fine powder and fill into capsules. Take 1–2 capsules each time. 4. For dysuria (retention of urine) (from Jiangxi Caoyao Shouce) Take 60 g of fresh Rabdosia herb, 30 g each of fresh Shiwei (Pyrrosia leaf) and fresh Cheqiancao. Decoct in water and drink. 5. For traumatic swelling and pain (from Hunan Materia Medica) Take 15–30 g of Rabdosia lophanthoides whole plant and 30–60 g of Zhuyangyang (Galium aparine). Decoct in water, mix with a little wine, and drink. Apply the crushed residue externally to the affected area. 6. For acute conjunctivitis (wind‑fire red eye) (from Food Chinese Medicine and Prescriptions) Take 9 g of Xihuangcao, decoct in water, filter, and use the liquid to wash the eyes.
Daily Consumption
Xihuangcao Tea: Use 10–15 g of dried herb, steep in boiling water, cover and let infuse for 10 minutes. Drink as tea. Honey or rock sugar may be added to taste. Xihuangcao Lean Pork Soup: Use 30–60 g of fresh herb (or 15–30 g dried), 200 g lean pork, 3 slices of fresh ginger. Blanch the pork, then simmer with the herb and ginger for 1 hour. Add salt to taste. Xihuangcao and Coix Seed Congee: Use 10 g of dried herb, 30 g of coix seed, 50 g of rice. Decoct the herb to obtain the liquid, then cook the rice and coix seed with this liquid into congee. Xihuangcao Decoction for External Wash: For skin eczema and pruritus. Use 30 g of dried herb, decoct in water, and wash the affected area with the warm decoction.
Medicinal Parts
dried whole herb
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry container in a well-ventilated, dry place.