Violae Herba
Aliases：Dì Dīng Cǎo, Dì Dīng, Zǐ Dì Dīng, Jīn Jiǎn Dāo, Jiàn Tóu Cǎo, Tù Er Cǎo, Yě Jǐn Cài, Guāng Bàn Jǐn Cài, Dú Xíng Hǔ, Yáng Jiǎo Zǐ, Jǐn Jǐn Cài, Lí Tóu Cǎo, Bǎo Jiàn Cǎo, Mǐ Bù Dài.
Zǐ Huā Dì Dīng is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. It is the dried whole plant of Viola yedoensis Makino, a plant belonging to the family Violaceae. This plant is a perennial herb without aboveground stems, with a short rhizome and relatively thick taproots. The leaves are basal, in a rosette, lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate in shape, with shallow crenate margins and sparse pubescence on both surfaces. The flowers are medium-sized, purplish-violet or pale purple, with lighter-colored throats and purple stripes. It is named "Zǐ Huā Dì Dīng" (Purple Flower Ground Nail) because of its purple flowers and nail-like roots, commonly abbreviated as "Dì Dīng". This herb was first recorded in Qianjin Fang (Essential Formulas for Emergencies) by Sun Simiao of the Tang Dynasty, and was also included in Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica) by Li Shizhen of the Ming Dynasty. It was first documented in Jiuhuang Bencao (Famine Relief Materia Medica) and has been included in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia under the name "Zǐ Huā Dì Dīng" since the 1977 edition.
Efficacy & Actions
Clears heat, detoxifies, cools the blood, and reduces swelling.
Indications
Indicated for furuncles and toxic swellings, carbuncles and back sores, erysipelas, and snakebites. It may also be used for breast abscesses, intestinal abscesses, red and swollen eyes, sore throat, damp-heat diarrhea and dysentery, jaundice, and scrofula. Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) records that it "treats all carbuncles, back sores, furuncles, scrofula, nameless toxic swellings, and malignant sores".
Modern Pharmacology
Antibacterial effects: Zǐ Huā Dì Dīng exhibits strong inhibitory effects against Staphylococcus aureus and Neisseria catarrhalis, as well as inhibitory effects against Streptococcus type A and Diplococcus pneumoniae. Its coumarin components exhibit antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. Luteolin, ferulic acid, and other components inhibit Escherichia coli. Anti-inflammatory effects: The ethyl acetate extract of Zǐ Huā Dì Dīng significantly inhibits xylene-induced ear edema and carrageenan-induced paw edema in mice. Antiviral effects: Zǐ Huā Dì Dīng extract can inhibit the growth of HIV at concentrations below toxic doses. It also exhibits anti-HIV and antiviral effects. Antioxidant effects: Zǐ Huā Dì Dīng contains multiple components with antioxidant activity, with some compounds showing significant DPPH free radical scavenging activity. Immunomodulatory effects: Exhibits immunomodulatory effects. Antitumor effects: Exhibits antitumor activity. In addition, Zǐ Huā Dì Dīng also exhibits anti-endotoxin effects.
Ingredients
Flavonoids and their glycosides: Apigenin, luteolin, kaempferol-3-O-rhamnopyranoside, flavonoid glycosides, and others. Coumarins and their glycosides: Aesculetin, scopoletin, cichoriin, esculetin, 6,7-dimethoxycoumarin, and others. Organic acids: Palmitic acid, trans-p-hydroxycinnamic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, succinic acid, ferulic acid, and others. Other constituents: Plant sterols (β-sitosterol), alkaloids, volatile oils, sugars, tannins, amides, phenolic components, saponins, amino acids, peptides, proteins, and others.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 10–30 g (30–60 g for fresh herb). May also be made into pills or powders. For external use: apply an appropriate amount of fresh herb, crushed and applied topically to the affected area.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in those with a deficiency-cold constitution. Contraindicated in those with Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold. Contraindicated in external sores of Yin pattern or cold pattern, and in cold abscesses with diffuse swelling without a distinct head. Not suitable for high-dose use as a single herb in patients with Kidney Yang deficiency and related patterns. Patients with chronic gastritis, chronic hepatitis, chronic gastroenteritis, or chronic diarrhea should avoid long-term, high-dose use.
Selected Formulas
For carbuncles, furuncles, and sores (Yizong Jinjian, Wuwei Xiaodu Yin) Take 1.2 qian each of Zihuadiding (Viola yedoensis), Yejuhua (Chrysanthemum indicum), Pugongying (Dandelion), and Zibeitiankui (a local herb), plus 3 qian of Jinyinhua (Honeysuckle). Decoct in water and drink; crush the residue and apply to the affected area. For furuncles and toxic swellings (Qianjin Fang) Take Zihuadiding herb, crush to extract juice, and drink. For carbuncle on the back and various swellings (Sun Tianren Jixiao Fang) Take Zihuadiding herb collected during the dog days, mix with white flour, soak in salt and vinegar overnight, and apply as a poultice. For enteritis and dysentery (empirical formula) Take 30g each of Zihuadiding and Hongteng (Sargentodoxa), 60g of Mayicao (a local herb), and 10g of Huangqin (Scutellaria). Decoct in water and drink. For jaundice with internal heat (empirical formula) Take Zihuadiding powder, 9g each time, with wine. For red, swollen, and painful eyes (empirical formula) Take 9g each of Zihuadiding, Juhua (Chrysanthemum), and Bohe (Mint), plus 6g of Chishao (Red peony). Decoct in water and drink. For venomous snake bite (empirical formula) Take fresh Zihuadiding, crush to extract one wine glass of juice and drink; add a little Xionghuang (Realgar) to the residue and apply around the wound. For throat obstruction (Puji Fang) Take Jiandantoucao (Zihuadiding) leaves, grind into powder, add a little sauce, dip a brush into it and apply to the throat, then spit out. For infantile liver-heat nosebleed (empirical formula) Take 60–90g of fresh Zihuadiding and 30g of honey. Decoct in water and drink for several consecutive days. For external wind-heat with sore throat (empirical formula) Take 9g each of Zihuadiding, Jinyinhua, and Lianqiao (Forsythia). Decoct in water and drink.
Daily Consumption
Cold Dressed Zǐ Huā Dì Dīng: Pick the tender seedlings or tender stems of Zǐ Huā Dì Dīng, blanch them in boiling water, then soak in clean water for 3–5 minutes to remove the bitterness. Remove and squeeze out the excess water, cut into sections and place in a bowl. Add minced garlic and chopped chili peppers, drizzle with fragrant vinegar, light soy sauce, a little salt, and sugar, then mix well. It is now ready to serve. Zǐ Huā Dì Dīng Tea: Wash the collected Zǐ Huā Dì Dīng thoroughly, then steam it or bake it at low temperature for 1–2 minutes to fix the enzymes. Dry it in the shade or at low temperature for storage. For daily brewing, take a small handful of the dried herb, steep in boiling water and let it infuse for 5–10 minutes, or boil for 2–3 minutes. The tea has a light yellow color, a slightly bitter taste with a sweet aftertaste.
Medicinal Parts
Dried whole plant.
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, ventilated place. Protect from moisture and insects.
