Rabdosiae Rubescentis Herba
Aliases：Bīng Líng Huā, Bīng Líng Cǎo, Suì Mǐ Yā, Shān Xiāng Cǎo, Xuě Huā Cǎo, Cǎi Huā Cǎo, Pò Xuè Dān, Liù Yuè Lìng, Shān Rěn, Míng Jìng Cǎo, Wáng Wū Xiān Cǎo, Yě Huò Xiāng.
Dōng Líng Cǎo is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. It is the dried aerial part of Rabdosia rubescens (Hemsl.) Hara, a plant belonging to the family Lamiaceae. This plant is a perennial herb or subshrub, growing 30–130 cm tall, with an erect, quadrangular stem that is reddish-purple on the surface and covered with soft hairs, branching extensively in the upper part. The leaves are opposite, petiolate, and crumpled; when flattened, they are ovate or rhombic-ovate, 2–6 cm long and 1.5–3 cm wide, with coarsely serrate margins, brownish-green on the upper surface and pale green on the lower surface. The cymes consist of 3–5 flowers, with pale blue or pale purplish-red bilabiate corollas. The nutlets are obovate-trigonous and brown. Dōng Líng Cǎo is named for the thin, butterfly-shaped ice crystals that form on the plant in winter. It was first recorded in Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer‘s Materia Medica).
Efficacy & Actions
Clears heat and detoxifies; activates blood and relieves pain.
Indications
Indicated for sore throat, abdominal masses (癥瘕痞块), and snake or insect bites. It may also be used for common cold with fever, headache, bronchitis, chronic hepatitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, and rheumatic joint pain. In modern clinical practice, it is also widely used in the prevention and treatment of malignant tumors including esophageal cancer, gastric cardia cancer, liver cancer, and breast cancer.
Modern Pharmacology
Antitumor effects: The decoction and alcohol extract of Dōng Líng Cǎo exhibit significant cytotoxic effects against human cervical cancer (HeLa) cells, esophageal squamous carcinoma cell line CaEs-17, and esophageal cancer 109 cell line. In vivo studies have shown that both oral and injectable administration of Dōng Líng Cǎo decoction and alcohol extract have antitumor effects against various transplanted tumors in animals. Its main active component, oridonin, has demonstrated significant anti-proliferative effects against various cancer cell lines, including leukemia, esophageal cancer, cervical cancer, gastric cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and liver cancer. Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects: Dōng Líng Cǎo exhibits significant antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. Oridonin exerts anti-inflammatory effects, potentially through the regulation of NF-κB, MAPK, and NLRP3 signaling pathways. Antioxidant effects: Dōng Líng Cǎo possesses antioxidant activity. Immunoenhancing effects: Dōng Líng Cǎo enhances immune function. Antihypertensive effects: Dōng Líng Cǎo has blood pressure-lowering effects.
Ingredients
Diterpenoids: Oridonin (also known as rubescensin A), ponicidin (also known as rubescensin B), rubescensin C, D, E, and G, lushanrubescensin A, B, C, and D, and others Triterpenoids: α-Amyrin, and others Volatile oils: α-Pinene, β-pinene, limonene, β-elemene, and others Others: Monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, alkaloids, flavonoids, rosmarinic acid, and others Among these, oridonin and ponicidin are the main antitumor active components, while rosmarinic acid is primarily associated with antibacterial effects.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 30–60 g; may also be steeped as tea for consumption, 3–5 g each time; or steeped in wine for consumption. For external use: apply an appropriate amount, decoct in water and wash the affected area.
Contraindications
Pregnant women should use with caution. Use with caution in cases of Spleen deficiency with loose stools. Use with caution in wind-cold sore throat—characterized by chills, fever without sweating, and clear nasal discharge; it should not be used in such cases. Avoid tobacco, alcohol, and spicy, fishy foods. Should not be taken concurrently with warm-tonic Chinese herbs during the medication period. Contraindicated in those allergic to this product; use with caution in those with allergic predisposition. Use with caution in cases of Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold.
Selected Formulas
For sore throat (empirical formula) Take 40g of Donglingcao (Rabdosia rubescens), decoct in water, strain, and drink warm, at any time. For tracheitis (empirical formula) Take 30g of Donglingcao, decoct in water, strain, and drink warm, at any time. For cold with headache (empirical formula) Take 30g of Donglingcao, simmer in water and drink. For rheumatic bone and tendon pain (empirical formula) Take 90g of Donglingcao, soak in 500ml of wine. Take 30g each morning and evening. For joint pain (empirical formula) Take 250g of Donglingcao, simmer in water and wash the affected area. For rheumatic bone pain (wine-soaked formula, empirical formula) Take 60g of Donglingcao and 500ml of white liquor. Seal and steep for 7 days, then drink one small cup each time.
Daily Consumption
Dōng Líng Cǎo Tea: Take 3–5 g of Dōng Líng Cǎo, place it in a cup, steep in boiling water, cover and let steep for 5–10 minutes before drinking. Suitable for those with an internal heat constitution who are prone to sore throat, toothache, and mouth sores. May be sweetened with honey or rock sugar to taste. Compound Dōng Líng Cǎo Tea: Place 5 g of Dōng Líng Cǎo, 3 g of chrysanthemum, 3 g of honeysuckle, and 30 g of rock sugar together in a thermos. Pour in half a pot of boiling water, cover and steep for 15 minutes, then drink frequently as a tea. Dōng Líng Cǎo Soup: Dōng Líng Cǎo may be stewed with ingredients such as pork ribs or chicken for consumption.
Medicinal Parts
Dried aerial parts.
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place. Protect from insects.
