Verbenae Herba
Aliases：Tiě Mǎ Biān (Iron Horsewhip), Mǎ Biān Zǐ (Horsewhip Seed), Mǎ Biān Shāo (Horsewhip Tip), Tòu Gǔ Cǎo (Penetrating Bone Herb), Hā Ma Luǒ (Toad Naked), Tù Zi Cǎo (Rabbit Grass), Zhān Shēn Lán Bèi, Tǔ Mǎ Biān (Earth Horsewhip), Fēng Xū Cǎo (Wind Beard Grass), Qīng Tíng Cǎo (Dragonfly Grass), Qīng Tíng Fàn (Dragonfly Rice), Lóng Yá Cǎo (Dragon Tooth Grass), Bái Mǎ Biān (White Horsewhip), Nüè Mǎ Biān (Malaria Horsewhip), Tiě Diào Gān (Iron Fishing Rod), Hè Xī Fēng (Crane Knee Wind), Zǐ Dǐng Lóng Yá (Purple-top Dragon Bud), Yě Jīng Jiè (Wild Schizonepeta), Yàn Wěi Cǎo (Swallowtail Grass), Tuì Xuè Cǎo (Blood-Retreating Grass), Gǒu Yá Cǎo (Dog Tooth Grass), Shùn Lǚ Cǎo (Smooth Grass).
Mǎ Biān Cǎo is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. It is a blood-regulating and menstruation-regulating medicinal material, derived from the dried aerial parts of Verbena officinalis L., a plant belonging to the family Verbenaceae. This plant is a perennial herb, growing 30–120 cm tall. The stem is quadrangular, much branched, with longitudinal grooves on four sides, greenish-brown on the surface, rough, hard and brittle. The leaves are opposite, crumpled, mostly broken, greenish-brown; when flattened, the leaf blade is 3-parted, with serrate margins. The spikes are slender with numerous small flowers arranged closely. Mǎ Biān Cǎo was first recorded in Mingyi Bielu (Records of Famous Physicians) and is now included in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. It is named for its slender, whip-like flower spikes, which resemble a horsewhip.
Efficacy & Actions
Promotes blood circulation and disperses stasis; detoxifies; promotes diuresis; removes jaundice; interrupts malarial attacks.
Indications
Indicated for abdominal masses (徵瘕积聚), dysmenorrhea and amenorrhea, sore throat (喉痹), carbuncles and swellings, edema, jaundice, and malaria. It may also be used for heat strangury, externally-contracted fever, and dysentery.
Modern Pharmacology
Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Antitumor effects. Antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal effects. Anti-early pregnancy effects. Neuroprotective effects. Antioxidant effects. Antitussive effects. Immunomodulatory effects.
Ingredients
Iridoid glycosides: Verbenalin, hastatoside, aucubin. Triterpenoids: Lupelo, ursolic acid, oleanolic acid. Phenylethanoid glycosides (phenylpropanoid glycosides): Verbascoside. Flavonoids: Luteolin-7-glucoside, apigenin, 4‘-hydroxywogonin. Volatile oils. Sterols: β-Sitosterol. Others: Adenosine, β-carotene, tannins, emulsin, and others.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 5–10 g. Some sources also document 9–15 g. For fresh herb, 30–60 g, crush and extract the juice for oral administration. 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, or decocted in water for washing.
Contraindications
Use with caution or avoid during pregnancy—as verbena promotes blood circulation, unblocks the meridians, and has anti-early pregnancy effects. Use with caution in patients with Qi-blood deficiency or weak Stomach Qi. Use with caution in patients with Spleen-Stomach weakness. Avoid cold, raw, and spicy, greasy foods during the medication period.
Selected Formulas
For common cold and influenza (Jiangsu Empirical Herbal Medicine Selection) Take 45g of fresh Mabiancao (Verbena), 15g of Qianghuo (Notopterygium), and 30g of Qinghao (Artemisia annua). Decoct in water, divide into 2 doses, and take for 2–3 consecutive days. For sore throat, add 15g of fresh Jiegeng (Platycodon). For sudden ascites (Buque Zhouhou Fang) Take 5kg each of Shuwei Cao (Salvia) and Mabiancao. Add 1 dan of water, decoct to 5 dou, strain, and further concentrate. Mix with flour to form pills and take. For dysentery (Quanzhan Xuanbian · Infectious Diseases) Take 60g of Mabiancao and 15g of Tuniuxi (Achyranthes root). Decoct in water and drink one dose daily. For menstrual stagnation and formation of masses in women (Sheng Hui Fang) Take 2.5kg of Mabiancao roots and shoots, chop finely, add 5 dou of water, decoct to 1 dou, strain, and concentrate into a paste. Take before meals with warm wine. For sore throat (Jiangxi Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take fresh Mabiancao stems and leaves, crush to extract juice, add an appropriate amount of human milk, mix well, and hold in the mouth and swallow slowly. For acute mastitis with pain (Weisheng Yijian Fang) Take a handful of Mabiancao, one bowl of wine, and one piece of fresh ginger. Crush to extract juice and drink, and apply the residue to the affected area. For jaundice (Jiangxi Herbal Medicine Manual) Take 60g of fresh Mabiancao root (or whole plant), decoct in water, add sugar, and drink. For liver swelling with pain, add 9g of Shanzha (Hawthorn).
Daily Consumption
Verbena Tea: Take 3–5 g of dried Mǎ Biān Cǎo, steep in boiling water, and drink as tea. It helps clear heat, detoxify, relieve sore throat, and reduce swelling. Decoction for Oral Administration: Take 5–10 g of Mǎ Biān Cǎo, decoct in water, and drink the strained liquid. External Washing: Take an appropriate amount of Mǎ Biān Cǎo, decoct in water, and wash the affected area. It may be used for skin sores, carbuncles, and toxic swellings.
Medicinal Parts
Dried aerial parts.
Selection & Storage
Store in a ventilated, dry place, protected from moisture.
