Polygoni Avicularis Herba
Aliases：Biǎn Xù, Biǎn Zhú, Dì Biǎn Xù, Biān Zhú, Fěn Jié Cǎo, Dào Shēng Cǎo, Biǎn Xù Liǎo, Bǎi Jié, Bǎi Jié Cǎo, Tiě Mián Cǎo, Dà Xù Piàn, Yě Tiě Sǎo Bǎ, Niǎo Liǎo, Xù Biàn, Biǎn Qū, Biǎn Màn, Niú Biān Cǎo, Niú Jīn Cǎo.
Biǎn Xù is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. It is the dried aerial part of Polygonum aviculare L., a plant belonging to the genus Polygonum of the family Polygonaceae. It is an annual herb, growing 10–40 cm tall, with stems that are prostrate or ascending, branching from the base, green in color with longitudinal grooves. The leaves are alternate, nearly sessile, oblong, obovate, or lanceolate in shape with entire margins. The flowers are small, 1–5 clustered in leaf axils, with a 5-parted perianth that is green with reddish or white margins. The achene is ovoid with three ridges. It commonly grows in fields, roadsides, riverbanks, and wastelands. It was first recorded in Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica).
Efficacy & Actions
Promotes diuresis and treats strangury; kills parasites; relieves itching.
Indications
Used for heat strangury with painful urination, scanty dark urine, abdominal pain due to intestinal parasites, skin eczema, and vulvar itching with leukorrhea. It may also be used for urinary retention, jaundice, pudendal ulcer, hemorrhoidal swelling, eczema, ascariasis, and infantile malnutrition. It is also applicable to conditions diagnosed in Western medicine as gonorrhea, urinary tract infections, urinary stones, vaginitis, leukorrhea, contact dermatitis, and trichomonal vaginitis pertaining to damp-heat patterns.
Modern Pharmacology
Antibacterial activity: The water and alcohol extracts of Biǎn Xù exhibit inhibitory effects against various bacteria. The 1:10 extract shows inhibitory effects against certain fungi in vitro. The flavonoid compounds can interfere with bacterial cell wall synthesis. Anti-inflammatory activity: The active components, including flavonoids and terpenoids, possess anti-inflammatory effects. Antioxidant activity: Chemical components such as epicatechin, proanthocyanidin B2, protocatechuic aldehyde, catechin, cynarin, p-coumaric acid, isoorientin, myricitrin, quercitrin, and avicularin contribute significantly to antioxidant activity. Diuretic effect: Exhibits significant diuretic and strangury-relieving effects. Hemostatic effect: The water and alcohol extracts can accelerate blood coagulation and increase uterine tone, serving as a hemostatic agent for postpartum uterine bleeding. Other effects: Also exhibits antidiabetic, anti-obesity, anti-aging, antitumor, wound-healing promoting, and hepatoprotective activities. It can enhance respiratory amplitude and pulmonary ventilation, with mild astringent effects.
Ingredients
Biǎn Xù is rich in chemical constituents. The compounds that have been isolated and identified mainly include flavonoids and phenolic acids, followed by phenylpropanoids, alkaloids, quinones, and saccharides. In addition, Biǎn Xù contains abundant amino acids and essential macro- and micro-elements required by the human body. Specific active components include epicatechin, proanthocyanidin B2, protocatechuic aldehyde, catechin, cynarin, p-coumaric acid, isoorientin, myricitrin, quercitrin, and avicularin.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 9–15 g. May also be made into pills or powders. For killing parasites, up to 30–60 g may be used. For external use: apply an appropriate amount, decoct in water and wash the affected area; or crush for topical application, or crush and extract the juice for application.
Contraindications
Use with caution in cases of Spleen-Stomach weakness—as Biǎn Xù is cold in nature, it may exacerbate Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold symptoms, leading to diarrhea, loss of appetite, and other issues. Use with caution in patients with Yin deficiency. Contraindicated or use with caution during pregnancy—Biǎn Xù may stimulate uterine smooth muscle contraction, increasing the risk of miscarriage or premature labor. Avoid long-term or high-dose use, as it may damage the Yang Qi of the Spleen and Stomach.
Selected Formulas
For heat strangury with painful urination and dribbling (Taiping Huimin Heji Ju Fang, Bazheng San) Take Bianxu (Polygonum aviculare) together with Qumai (Dianthus), Cheqianzi (Plantago seed), Mutong (Akebia), Huashi (Talc), Zhizi (Gardenia), Dahuang (Rhubarb), and Gancao (Licorice). Decoct in water and drink. For heat strangury (empirical formula) Take 50g of fresh Bianxu, crush and extract the juice, and drink. For roundworm with cardiac pain (Yaoxing Lun) Take 10 jin of Bianxu, finely chop, add 1 dan of water, decoct and strain, concentrate to a syrup-like consistency. Take on an empty stomach. For infantile pinworms (Shiyi Xinjing) Take a handful of Bianzhu leaves, cut into pieces, add 1 sheng of water, decoct to 5 he, strain, and drink on an empty stomach. For rectal prolapse and anal itching due to worms (Lei Zheng Zhi Cai) Take a handful of Bianxu, decoct in water and drink. For heat jaundice (Yaoxing Lun) Take Bianzhu, extract the juice, and take 1 sheng in one dose.
Daily Consumption
Cold Dressed Biǎn Xù: Take 250 g of tender Biǎn Xù stems and leaves, remove impurities and wash. Blanch in boiling water, remove and place in a dish. Add salt, MSG, soy sauce, minced garlic, and sesame oil, then mix well. Steamed Biǎn Xù: Drain the blanched Biǎn Xù, add an appropriate amount of cooking oil and salt, and evenly coat with a mixture of cornmeal and flour. Steam over high heat for 15–20 minutes. It can be served directly or dipped in mashed garlic. Biǎn Xù Congee: Take 100 g of tender Biǎn Xù stems and leaves and 150 g of polished rice. Remove impurities from Biǎn Xù, wash, blanch in boiling water, remove and cut into sections. Health Tea: The tender stems and leaves can be made into a health tea to clear heat and relieve summer heat.
Medicinal Parts
Dried aerial parts.
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry place, protected from insects. Store in a ventilated, dry place.
