Isatidis Radix
Aliases：Dà Diàn (Great Indigo); Sōng Lán (Woad); Dà Lán (Great Blue); Mǎ Lán (Horse Blue); Diàn Gēn (Indigo Root); Diàn Qīng Gēn (Indigo Blue Root); Lán Diàn Gēn (Blue Indigo Root); Mǎ Lán Gēn (Horse Blue Root).
Ban Lan Gen is a Chinese medicinal herb. It is the dried root of Isatis indigotica Fort., a plant of the Brassicaceae (Cruciferae) family. The root is excavated in autumn, with sediment removed and dried in the sun. Ban Lan Gen was first recorded in the Xin Xiu Ben Cao (Newly Revised Materia Medica).
Efficacy & Actions
Clears heat and detoxifies, cools blood and relieves sore throat.
Indications
Used for warm-toxin epidemics, fever with sore throat, warm-toxin skin eruptions, dark purple tongue, mumps (parotitis), throat impediment (severe sore throat), scarlet fever, severe epidemic with facial swelling, erysipelas, and carbuncles/swellings, among others.
Modern Pharmacology
Antiviral Effects: It exhibits inhibitory effects against influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, herpes simplex virus, adenovirus, mumps virus, coxsackievirus, hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome virus, and Japanese encephalitis virus. Antibacterial Effects: It has certain inhibitory effects against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Escherichia coli. Anti-inflammatory Effects: It inhibits various stages of the inflammatory process, exhibiting broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory activity. Anti-endotoxin Effects: It exhibits anti-endotoxin activity. Immunomodulatory Effects: The macromolecular active components in Ban Lan Gen may help enhance immune function. Antitumor Effects: It has certain antitumor activity. Antipyretic Effects: It has fever-reducing effects.
Ingredients
Alkaloids: Goitrin ((R,S)-goitrin), epigoitrin, indigo, indirubin, etc. Nucleosides: Cytidine, uridine, adenosine, guanosine, etc. Lignans: Lariciresinol, lariciresinol glycoside, isolariciresinol, clemastanin B, etc. Organic Acids: Salicylic acid, benzoic acid, syringic acid, anthranilic acid, etc. Glucosinolates, Phenylpropanoids. Other Components: β-sitosterol, plant proteins, resinous substances, sugars, and various amino acids (arginine, proline, glutamic acid, tyrosine, etc.).
Usage & Dosage
Oral Administration: Decoction, the standard dosage is 9–15g.
Contraindications
Use with caution in patients with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold: Ban Lan Gen is bitter and cold in nature. In such patients, it may damage the yang qi of the spleen and stomach, causing stomach pain, cold intolerance, poor appetite, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and other discomforts. Contraindicated in patients with deficiency constitution without excess heat and fire-toxin. Not suitable for consumption with bananas: This combination may cause diarrhea. Use with caution in individuals with allergies: Those allergic to Ban Lan Gen may experience rash, itching, dizziness, and other allergic symptoms. Not suitable for long-term use: It is recommended not to take it in large amounts or for extended periods, generally no more than 3 consecutive days. Avoid alcohol, tobacco, spicy foods, and fishy foods during medication.
Selected Formulas
For Severe Epidemic with Facial Swelling (Redness, Swelling, Burning Pain of the Head and Face, and Throat Discomfort) (Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin from Dong Yuan Shi Xiao Fang) Take Ban Lan Gen (Isatis Root) combined with Scutellaria (Huáng Qín), Coptis (Huáng Lián), Forsythia (Lián Qiào), Figwort Root (Xuán Shēn), Arctium Fruit (Niú Bàng Zǐ), Puffball (Mǎ Bó), Mint (Bò He), Bombyx Batryticatus (Jiāng Cán), Cimicifuga (Shēng Má), Bupleurum (Chái Hú), Platycodon (Jié Gěng), Tangerine Peel (Chén Pí), and Licorice (Gān Cǎo). Decoct in water and take orally. For Mumps (Ban Lan Gen Tang from Kong Bohua Yi Ji) Take 9g of Ban Lan Gen, 15g of raw Gypsum (Shēng Shí Gāo, decocted first), 9g of Dandelion (Pú Gōng Yīng), 4.5g of Gentiana (Lóng Dǎn Cǎo), 9g of Scutellaria (Huáng Qín), 18g of Trichosanthes Fruit (Quán Guā Lóu), 9g of Gardenia Charcoal (Zhī Zǐ Tàn), 9g of Mulberry Leaf (Dōng Sāng Yè), 9g of Lycium Bark (Dì Gǔ Pí), 9g of Anemarrhena (Zhī Mǔ), 4.5g of Mint (Bò He), and 30 pills of Liu Shen Wan (taken separately). Decoct in water and take orally. For Poisoning from Toxic Herbs, Various Substances, and Summer Heat Toxicity (Jie Du Wan from San Yin Ji Yi Bing Zheng Fang Lun) Take 4 liang (approximately 120g) of Ban Lan Gen, 1 liang (approximately 30g) of Cyrtomium (Guàn Zhòng), 1 liang of Qing Dai (Indigo powder), and 1 liang of Licorice (Gān Cǎo). Grind into powder and form into pills with honey. For Influenza (from Jiangsu Yan Fang Cao Yao Xuan Bian) Take 1 liang (approximately 30g) of Ban Lan Gen and 5 qian (approximately 15g) of Notopterygium (Qiāng Huó). Decoct in water and take in two divided doses daily for 2–3 days. For Hepatitis (from Liaoning Chang Yong Zhong Cao Yao Shou Ce) Take 1 liang (approximately 30g) of Ban Lan Gen. Decoct in water and take orally.
Daily Consumption
Ban Lan Gen Tea: Take 18g of Ban Lan Gen and drink it as a tea. It helps clear heat, detoxify, cool blood, and relieve sore throat. Suitable for the prevention and treatment of Japanese encephalitis, influenza, meningitis, scarlet fever, and other diseases. Influenza Prevention Tea: Take 5g of Ban Lan Gen and 3g of green tea. Steep in boiling water and drink as tea for 5–7 consecutive days. Ban Lan Gen and Honeysuckle Syrup: Take 100g of Ban Lan Gen, 50g of Honeysuckle (Jīn Yín Huā), 15g of Licorice (Gān Cǎo), and an appropriate amount of rock sugar. Add 600ml of water and decoct to 500ml, strain, then add rock sugar. Take 10–20g each time. Ban Lan Gen and Jujube Soup: Take 30g of Ban Lan Gen and 20 jujube dates (Hóng Zǎo). Wash and slice the Ban Lan Gen, place it together with the jujubes in a clay pot, add water and soak briefly, then simmer over medium heat for 30 minutes and strain the soup. This soup helps clear heat, detoxify, tonify qi, and nourish blood.
Medicinal Parts
Dried root.
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry place, protected from mold and insects.