Vitex negundo L.
Aliases：Huáng Jīng Tiáo (Yellow Vitex Twig); Huáng Jīng Zǐ (Yellow Vitex Fruit); Bù Jīng (Cloth Vitex); Jīng Tiáo (Vitex Twig); Wǔ Zhǐ Fēng (Five-finger Wind); Wǔ Zhǐ Gān (Five-finger Citrus); Shān Huáng Jīng (Mountain Yellow Vitex); Pǔ Jiāng (Pujiang Vitex).
Huáng Jīng (Vitex negundo) is a Chinese medicinal herb. It is a plant of the genus Vitex in the family Lamiaceae (formerly Verbenaceae), and its root, stem, leaf, and fruit (Huáng Jīng Zǐ) are used medicinally. Different parts have different therapeutic emphases. It is a commonly used medicinal herb in folk medicine.
Efficacy & Actions
Root and Stem: Clears heat, stops cough, resolves phlegm, and interrupts malarial disorders. Releases the exterior, dispels wind-dampness, regulates qi, and relieves pain. Leaf: Clears heat, releases the exterior, resolves dampness, and interrupts malarial disorders. For external use, it can treat eczema, dermatitis, and tinea pedis (athlete's foot). Fruit (Huáng Jīng Zǐ): Relieves cough and wheezing, regulates qi, and relieves pain. Dispels wind, releases the exterior, regulates qi, promotes digestion, and relieves pain.
Indications
Root and Stem: Used for colds, chronic bronchitis, rheumatic arthralgia, stomach pain, acute gastroenteritis (sha qi), abdominal pain, bronchitis, malaria, and hepatitis. Leaf: For internal use, it is used to treat colds, enteritis, dysentery, malaria, and urinary tract infections. For external use, it is used to treat eczema, dermatitis, and tinea pedis (athlete's foot). Fresh leaves, when mashed and applied, can be used for snake and insect bites. Fruit (Huáng Jīng Zǐ): Indicated for common colds, cough, asthma, stomach pain with acid regurgitation, indigestion, diarrhea and dysentery due to food stagnation, cholecystitis, gallstones, and hernia.
Modern Pharmacology
Antitussive and Antiasthmatic Effects: The decoction of Huáng Jīng Zǐ (the fruit of Vitex negundo) has a dilating effect on bronchial smooth muscle and can relieve tracheal and bronchial spasms. Expectorant Effect: The root decoction exhibits significant expectorant effects. Anti-inflammatory Effect: Extracts of Huáng Jīng Zǐ show significant inhibitory effects on paw edema in rats. Antibacterial Effect: Exhibits inhibitory effects against various bacteria. Antitumor Effect: Exhibits antitumor activity. Analgesic Effect: Exhibits analgesic effects. Anticoagulant and Circulatory Improvement: Exhibits anticoagulant effects and improves microcirculation, among other effects.
Ingredients
Terpenoids: Such as 3β-acetoxy-12-oleanen-27-oic acid, oleanolic acid derivatives, among others. Flavonoids: Such as isoorientin, luteolin 7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, apigenin 7-O-β-D-glucoside, kaempferol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, among others. Lignans. Volatile Oils: Containing eucalyptol (1,8-cineole), α-pinene, camphene, β-caryophyllene, citral, among others. Organic Acids: Including p-hydroxybenzoic acid, ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, among others. Others: Vitexinoside, methyl rosmarinate, among others.
Usage & Dosage
Root and stem: Decoction for oral administration, 15–30g. Leaf: Decoction for oral administration, 9–30g. Leaf for topical use: Appropriate amount, mashed for application, or decocted in water for washing. Fruit (Huáng Jīng Zǐ): Decoction for oral administration, 6–9g or 5–10g.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with damp-heat, dry thirst, and without qi stagnation. Use with caution in patients with yin deficiency and internal heat. Contraindicated for individuals allergic to Vitex negundo (Huáng Jīng).
Selected Formulas
For fever with cough and dyspnea due to cold damage disease (Gu Jin Yi Jian, Huangjing San) Take Huangjingzi (Vitex negundo seed), stir-fry, grind into powder. Take 6–9g each time, decoct in water and drink. For asthma (empirical formula) Take 2–5 qian of Huangjingzi, grind into powder, add an appropriate amount of white sugar, and take with water. For liver-stomach pain (Bencao Gangmu Shiyi) Take Huangjingzi, grind into powder, mix with flour to make a dough, and eat. For gastric ulcer and chronic gastritis (empirical formula) Take 1 liang of dried Huangjing fruit. Decoct in water and drink, or grind into powder and swallow. For preventing influenza (Chinese Ethnic Materia Medica) Take 15–30g each of Huangjing root, Shenghongji (Ageratum conyzoides) whole plant, Malan (Kalimeris indica) whole plant, Yidianhong (Emilia sonchifolia) whole plant, Yuxingcao (Houttuynia cordata) whole plant, and Rendongteng (Lonicera japonica vine). Decoct in water and drink. For rheumatic joint pain and low back pain (Rural Common Herbal Medicine Manual) Take 30g each of Huangjing root, Bajiaofeng root (Alangium chinense), and Gougu root (a local herb). Decoct in water and drink. For enterobiasis (pinworm infection) (Rural Common Herbal Medicine Manual) Take 30g of Huangjing root, slice it, stir-fry with sweet wine until yellow. Add 2 bowls of water, decoct to 1 bowl, and take before supper.
Daily Consumption
Huáng Jīng Zǐ Tea: Dry the fruits of Vitex negundo (Huáng Jīng Zǐ), then steep them in hot water and drink as a tea. It may help relieve cough, stomach pain, and other discomforts. Huáng Jīng Root Soup: The root of Vitex negundo can be stewed together with meat. It may be used as an adjunctive dietary therapy for rheumatic arthralgia.
Medicinal Parts
Root, stem, leaf, and fruit (Huáng Jīng Zǐ, the fruit of Vitex negundo L.).
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry, airtight container in a cool, dry place. Protect from mold.
