Plumbago zeylanica Linn.
Aliases：Jiǎ Mò Lì (False Jasmine); Bái Xuě Huā (White Snow Flower); Tiān Bīng Láng (Heavenly Betel Nut); Shān Pō Líng (Mountain Slope Herb); Niǎo Miàn Mǎ (Bird-faced Horse); Yě Mù Lì (Wild Jasmine); Gé Bù Cǎo (Cloth-Separating Herb); Qiān Bīng Láng (Thousand Betel Nuts); Měng Lǎo Hǔ (Fierce Tiger Herb); Bái Huā Tiě Luó Hàn (White-flowered Iron Arhat); Huǒ Líng Dān (Fire Spirit Elixir), among others.
Bái Huā Dān (White-flowered Leadwort) is a Chinese medicinal herb. It is the whole plant or root of Plumbago zeylanica L., a plant of the Plumbaginaceae family. It is a commonly used herbal medicine with potent and drastic effects, employing the principle of “fighting poison with poison.” Its main actions are dispelling wind, eliminating dampness, promoting qi circulation, invigorating blood, detoxifying, and reducing swelling. The entire plant is toxic, and its leaves contain poisonous components that may cause skin irritation or blistering upon contact.
Efficacy & Actions
Dispels wind and eliminates dampness; promotes qi circulation and invigorates blood; detoxifies and reduces swelling.
Indications
Rheumatic arthralgia: Rheumatic and rheumatoid joint pain. Amenorrhea due to blood stasis: Amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) caused by blood stasis in women. Traumatic injuries: Sprains, contusions, fractures, etc. Sores and toxic swellings: Carbuncles, scrofula, scabies and tinea, lymphadenitis, mastitis, cellulitis, etc. Others: Stomach pain due to qi stagnation in the heart and stomach, hepatosplenomegaly (enlargement of the liver and spleen), and venomous snake bites.
Modern Pharmacology
Antitumor effect: Its active component plumbagin has inhibitory effects on various cancer cells. Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects: Exhibits broad-spectrum antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory activities. Antioxidant effect: Exhibits free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities. Hepatoprotective effect: Has protective effects against liver injury. Effect on the central nervous system: Has excitatory effects on the central nervous system. Other effects: Also exhibits inhibitory effects on glycolysis, among others.
Ingredients
Naphthoquinones: Plumbagin (also known as矶松素), 3-chloroplumbagin, 3,3'-biplumbagin, etc. Coumarins, organic acids, sterols. Others: β-sitosterol, vanillic acid, plumbagic acid, protease, sucrase (invertase), etc.
Usage & Dosage
Oral Administration (use with caution): Decoction, 9–15g; or steeped in wine. Topical Application (use with caution): Appropriate amount, fresh herb mashed or dried herb ground into powder, applied to the affected area after disinfection with hydrogen peroxide or alcohol. It may also be decocted in water for washing or rubbing. The application time should not be too long, generally not exceeding 30 minutes, to avoid blistering.
Contraindications
Bái Huā Dān (Plumbago zeylanica) is toxic and is generally not used as a daily dietary supplement. Its medicinal effects are potent and drastic. It must be used strictly as a medication under the guidance of a qualified TCM practitioner.
Selected Formulas
For amenorrhea due to blood stasis (Fujian Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 30g of dried Baihuadan (Plumbago zeylanica) root, optionally with 60g of lean pork. Decoct in water and drink. For scrofula without ulceration (Fujian Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 15–30g of fresh Baihuadan root, with an appropriate amount of lean pork. Stew in water and consume. For thickened tinea (Guangxi Medicinal Plant Illustrated Handbook) Take Baihuadan stems and leaves, crush and apply to the affected area. For rheumatic joint pain and lumbocrural sprain (Fujian Bencao Zhi) Take 30g of Baihuadan root. Decoct in water and drink, or soak in wine and take.
Daily Consumption
Bái Huā Dān (Plumbago zeylanica) is toxic and is generally not used as a daily dietary supplement. Its medicinal effects are potent and drastic. It must be used strictly as a medication under the guidance of a qualified TCM practitioner.
Medicinal Parts
Dried whole plant or root.
Selection & Storage
Store in a well-ventilated, dry place, protected from moisture and insects. Fresh material may be used immediately upon collection.
