Salvia japonica Thunb.
Aliases：Kēng Sū (Pit Herb); Zǐ Huā Dān (Purple Flower Elixir); Wū Cǎo (Black Herb); Xiǎo Qīng (Little Green); Shān Líng Qiào (Mountain Ling Herb).
Shǔ Wěi Cǎo (Sage Herb) is a Chinese medicinal herb. It is the whole plant of Salvia japonica Thunb., a plant of the Lamiaceae (mint) family.
Efficacy & Actions
Clears heat and promotes diuresis, invigorates blood and regulates menstruation, and detoxifies to reduce swelling.
Indications
Used for jaundice, red and white dysentery, damp-heat leukorrhea, menstrual irregularities, dysmenorrhea, sores and boils, and traumatic injuries. Ancient texts also record its use for major abdominal edema, intermittent dysentery (recurring dysentery that persists for a long time), chronic intestinal bleeding, and malignant sores with everted flesh, among other conditions.
Modern Pharmacology
Antibacterial effect. Antioxidant effect. Anti-adipogenic effect: Research shows that hot-water extracts of sage (Salvia officinalis L.) exhibit anti-adipogenic effects in cellular models. Neuroprotective effect: Compounds derived from carnosic acid (found in sage) exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects.
Ingredients
The whole plant contains β-sitosterol, β-sitosterol glucoside, ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, 2α-hydroxyursolic acid, tormentic acid, caffeic acid, maslinic acid, ethyl-β-D-galactopyranoside, and other compounds. In addition, chemical studies on related species indicate that plants of the genus Salvia also contain various components including polysaccharides, sesquiterpenoids, diterpenoids, triterpenoids, flavonoids, and polyphenols.
Usage & Dosage
Oral Administration: Decoction, the commonly used dosage is 15–30g. The specific dosage should be individualized based on the patient‘s condition, constitution, and other factors, and must be strictly followed as prescribed by a physician.
Contraindications
Contraindicated during pregnancy: Sage herb has blood-invigorating and menstruation-regulating effects, which may cause uterine contractions and lead to miscarriage. Other contraindicated groups have not been clearly identified.
Selected Formulas
For intermittent dysentery (alternating with periods of remission) (Bencao Gangmu) Take the flowers of Shuweicao (Salvia japonica), grind into powder. Take 1 qian (about 3g) each time with water. For chronic hematochezia (Bencao Gangmu) Take 2 liang each of Shuweicao and Diyu (Sanguisorba officinalis). Add 2 sheng of water, decoct to 1 sheng, and take in one dose. May also be ground into powder and taken with water. For inverted flower malignant sore (with granulation tissue protruding like grains) (Bencao Gangmu) Take Shuweicao root, cut finely, and mash with lard, apply to the affected area. For regulating menstruation (Zhenan Bencao Xinbian) Take 30–60g of the whole plant of Shuweicao daily, or add 30g each of Longyacao (Agrimonia pilosa) and Yimucao (Leonurus japonicus). Decoct in water, mix with yellow wine, and drink. For ascites edema (Bencao Gangmu) Take Shuweicao, and follow the method described under "Mabiancao" (Verbena officinalis) in Bencao Gangmu.
Daily Consumption
Decoction for Oral Use: Take 15–30g of sage herb (Salvia japonica), decoct in water, and drink the liquid. It may be used as an adjunctive treatment for damp-heat conditions, menstrual irregularities, and other related disorders.
Medicinal Parts
Whole plant.
Selection & Storage
Store in a well-ventilated, dry place, protected from moisture.
