Schizonepetae Herba
Aliases：Jia Su、Shu Mi、Jiang Jie、Si Leng Gan Hao、Xian Ren
Jingjie (Schizonepeta Herb), a Chinese medicinal, is the dried aerial part of Schizonepeta tenuifolia Briq., a plant of the Lamiaceae family (genus Schizonepeta).
Efficacy & Actions
Dispel wind and release the exterior, promote eruption and resolve sores, and stop bleeding.
Indications
Exterior pattern due to external contraction (common cold with fever, headache, and absence of sweating), delayed measles eruption, rubella (urticaria) with pruritus, early-stage sores and ulcers accompanied by exterior pattern, and bleeding disorders such as hematemesis, epistaxis, hematochezia, and flooding‑spotting (metrorrhagia).
Modern Pharmacology
Anti‑inflammatory and analgesic: The volatile oil of Jingjie inhibits inflammatory exudation and reduces levels of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF‑α and IL‑1β, exhibiting clear anti‑inflammatory effects. Its extract also has analgesic effects. Antiviral and antibacterial: It inhibits influenza A (H1N1) virus, respiratory syncytial virus, herpes simplex virus, etc., as well as bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, and Salmonella typhi. Hemostatic (bleeding control): Carbonized Jingjie (Jingjie Tan) significantly shortens bleeding time, and its hemostatic activity is stronger than that of the raw product, providing modern scientific evidence for the theory of “carbonizing to stop bleeding”. Anti‑allergic and immunomodulatory: It exerts anti‑allergic effects by influencing the release of allergic mediators and also regulates immune function. Antioxidant and antitumor: Scavenges free radicals and possesses certain antioxidant and antitumor activities. Other effects: It also has a mild antipyretic effect, promotes sweat gland secretion, dilates skin blood vessels, as well as sedative and anticonvulsant effects.
Ingredients
1. Volatile oils: L‑menthone, pulegone (quality control marker in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia), caryophyllene, limonene, schizonepetin, etc. 2. Other terpenoids: 8,15‑isopimaradiene‑7β,18‑diol, α‑tocopherylquinone, phytol, etc. 3. Flavonoids: Apigenin, kaempferol, rutin, etc. 4. Other components: Chlorogenic acid, β‑sitosterol, organic acids, etc.
Usage & Dosage
1. Internal use: 4.5–9 g in decoction; or used in pills or powders. Do not decoct for a prolonged period, as this may cause the volatile active components to evaporate. 2. External use: Appropriate amount, crushed for topical application, ground into powder and applied as a paste, or decocted for fumigation and washing. 3. Precautions for use: For releasing the exterior, promoting eruption, and resolving sores, the raw herb should be used; for stopping bleeding, carbonized Jingjie (Jingjie Tan) should be used.
Contraindications
1. Contraindicated in cases of exterior deficiency with spontaneous sweating: Jingjie can induce sweating and release the exterior; taking it in those with debility and excessive sweating may worsen symptoms. 2. Contraindicated in cases of yin deficiency with blazing fire and yin deficiency headache: Its nature is warm and drying, which may easily damage yin and stir up fire; therefore, it should be avoided in those with yin deficiency. 3. Contraindicated in cases of blood deficiency with chills and fever, and internal exuberant fire. 4. Avoid long‑term use: Its acrid and dispersing nature may consume qi and damage fluids with prolonged use; therefore, it should not be taken long‑term by those with qi deficiency and debility. 5. Dietary incompatibilities during medication: Avoid consuming donkey meat, scaleless fish (such as catfish, eel, etc.), crab, yellow croaker, and other similar foods. According to the Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu), those taking Jingjie should avoid eating fish, and it is incompatible with pufferfish (globefish). Also avoid raw and cold foods.
Selected Formulas
1. For wind‑cold common cold with chills, fever, headache, and absence of sweating (Source: Shesheng Zhongmiao Fang – “Jingfang Baidu San”) Jingjie is combined with Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix), Duhuo (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix), and other herbs. 2. For wind‑heat common cold with fever and headache (Source: Wenbing Tiaobian – “Yinqiao San”) Jingjie is combined with Jinyinhua (Lonicerae Japonicae Flos), Lianqiao (Forsythiae Fructus), Bohe (Menthae Haplocalycis Herba), and other wind‑heat dispersing herbs. 3. For externally contracted pathogenic factors blocking the exterior, early‑stage measles with poor eruption, or rubella (urticaria) with pruritus (Source: Wenbing Tiaobian, etc.) Jingjie is combined with Chantui (Cicadae Periostracum), Bohe, Zicao (Arnebiae Radix), etc., for measles. For rubella with pruritus, it is combined with Kushen (Sophorae Flavescentis Radix), Fangfeng, Baijili (Tribuli Fructus), etc. 4. For early‑stage sores and ulcers with exterior pattern For cases with wind‑cold predominance: Jingjie is combined with Qianghuo, Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Duhuo, etc. For cases with wind‑heat predominance: Jingjie is combined with Jinyinhua, Lianqiao, Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), etc. 5. For hematemesis, epistaxis, hematochezia, hemorrhoidal bleeding, and flooding‑spotting (metrorrhagia) due to reckless movement of blood heat For hematemesis and epistaxis: Jingjie is combined with Shengdihuang (Rehmanniae Radix), Baimaogen (Imperatae Rhizoma), Cebaiye (Platycladi Cacumen), etc. For hematochezia and hemorrhoidal bleeding: Jingjie is combined with Diyu (Sanguisorbae Radix), Huaihua (Sophorae Flos), Huangqin Tan (scorched Scutellaria), etc. For flooding‑spotting (metrorrhagia): Jingjie is combined with Zonglu Tan (scorched Trachycarpi Petiolus), Lianfang Tan (scorched Nelumbinis Receptaculum), etc.
Daily Consumption
1. Jingjie Congee Ingredients: Jingjie (Schizonepeta Herb) 10 g, Bohe (Mint) 5 g, Dandouchi (Fermented Soybean) 5 g, japonica rice 100 g. Preparation: Decoct Jingjie, Bohe, and Dandouchi in water, strain to obtain the liquid, and discard the residue. Cook the rice with the liquid to make congee. Action: Induces sweating and releases the exterior, clears and benefits the throat. Suitable for the early stage of wind‑cold common cold with headache, sore throat, fever, and chilliness. 2. Jingjie Tea Ingredients: Jingjie (Schizonepeta Herb) 10 g, Zisuye (Perilla Leaf) 9 g, fresh ginger 9 g, brown sugar 30 g. Preparation: Wash Jingjie, Zisuye, and ginger. Boil with water, then add brown sugar dissolved in a little water. Strain and drink the liquid. Action: Disperses cold and releases the exterior, aids digestion. Suitable for wind‑cold common cold with chilliness, absence of sweating, headache, and body pain. 3. Jingjie Zisu Tea Ingredients: Jingjie (Schizonepeta Herb) 10 g, Zisuye (Perilla Leaf) 9 g, fresh ginger 9 g, tea leaves 6 g, brown sugar 30 g. Preparation: Dissolve brown sugar in a small amount of water and set aside. Boil Jingjie, Zisuye, ginger, and tea leaves together, then strain to obtain the liquid. Mix with the brown sugar solution and drink. Action: Disperses wind‑cold and releases the exterior. Suitable for wind‑cold common cold.
Medicinal Parts
dried aerial part (stems, leaves, and spikes)
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place, protected from mold and insects. For carbonized Jingjie (Jingjie Tan), allow to cool and dissipate heat before storage to prevent re-ignition.