Chenopodii Albi Herba
Aliases：Hui Hui Cai, Ye Hui Cai, Fen Zi Cai, Hui Tiao Cai, Bai Li
Huicai (Chenopodii Albi Herba), a Chinese medicinal, is the whole herb of Chenopodium album L., a plant of the Amaranthaceae family (formerly Chenopodiaceae; genus Chenopodium).
Efficacy & Actions
Clear heat and drain dampness, resolve toxin and reduce swelling, eliminate parasites and relieve itching.
Indications
Damp‑heat diarrhea, dysentery, eczema, carbuncles and toxic swellings, insect and venomous bites, vitiligo, scabies and tinea with pruritus.
Modern Pharmacology
Antibacterial: Exhibits inhibitory effects against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, etc. Anti‑inflammatory: Suppresses inflammatory responses. Antioxidant: Scavenges free radicals. Antipruritic (itching relief): External application can alleviate skin pruritus.
Ingredients
Flavonoids: Kaempferol, quercetin, isorhamnetin, etc. Alkaloids: Betaine, etc. Volatile oils: Various terpenoids. Others: Protein, fat, vitamin C, carotene, calcium, iron, potassium, etc.
Usage & Dosage
Internal use: 9–15 g in decoction (30–60 g for fresh herb). External use: Appropriate amount, fresh herb crushed and applied topically to the affected area, or decocted for washing.
Contraindications
Contraindicated populations: Use with caution in cases of spleen‑stomach deficiency cold with loose stools or diarrhea; use with caution during pregnancy. Precautions for use: Contains photosensitive substances (furocoumarins). After consumption, avoid prolonged sun exposure; otherwise, it may cause phytophotodermatitis (redness, swelling, itching, and burning pain on the face and back of the hands). Do not consume in excess.
Selected Formulas
1. For damp‑heat diarrhea and dysentery Ingredients: Fresh lambsquarters 60 g, purslane (Portulaca) 30 g, plantain herb (Plantago asiatica) 15 g. Usage: Decoct in water, one dose per day, divided into two oral doses. Indications: Damp‑heat diarrhea, dysenteric abdominal pain, tenesmus. 2. For summer‑dampness fever and vomiting Ingredients: Fresh lambsquarters 50 g, agastache (Huoxiang) 10 g, eupatorium (Peilan) 10 g. Usage: Decoct in water, one dose per day. Indications: Summer‑dampness common cold, fever with heavy sensation in the head, nausea and vomiting. 3. For eczema and skin pruritus Ingredients: Fresh lambsquarters 100 g, broom cypress fruit (Difuzi) 30 g, cnidium fruit (Shechuangzi) 30 g. Usage: Decoct in water and wash the affected area 2–3 times daily. Indications: Eczema, skin itching, papules. 4. For boils and toxic swellings Ingredients: Fresh lambsquarters, appropriate amount. Usage: Crush into a paste and apply topically to the affected area, change dressing 1–2 times daily. Indications: Early‑stage carbuncles and furuncles with redness, swelling, heat, and pain. 5. For vitiligo (folk formula) Ingredients: Fresh lambsquarters 100 g, psoralea fruit (Buguzhi) 30 g, 75% alcohol 500 ml. Usage: Chop the lambsquarters and psoralea, soak in the alcohol in a sealed container for 7 days, then filter. Apply the filtrate to the white patches twice daily, and expose to moderate sunlight (control sun exposure time to avoid burns). Indications: Vitiligo (adjunctive therapy).
Daily Consumption
Lambsquarters and Mung Bean Soup (for preventing photosensitivity) Ingredients: Fresh tender lambsquarters shoots 100 g, mung beans 50 g, rock sugar to taste. Preparation: Cook the mung beans until soft, then add the lambsquarters and cook for another 5 minutes. Add rock sugar to taste. Usage: Take orally. Avoid sun exposure after consumption. Indication: Summer damp‑heat; prevention of phytophotodermatitis (sun‑induced dermatitis caused by photosensitive compounds).
Medicinal Parts
whole herb
Selection & Storage
Fresh herb: Store in a refrigerator (0–4°C) and consume as soon as possible. Dried herb: Store in a well-ventilated, dry place, protected from mold.