Herba Cardaminis Hirsutae / Herba Cardaminis Flexuosae
Aliases：Què Er Cài (Sparrow Vegetable), Yě Jì Cài (Wild Bittercress), Yě Yǎng Cài, Mǐ Huā Xiāng Jì Cài (Rice Flower Fragrant Bittercress).
Bái Dài Cǎo is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. It is the whole plant of Cardamine hirsuta L. and Cardamine flexuosa With., plants belonging to the family Cruciferae. The name “Bái Dài Cǎo” (literally “White Discharge Herb”) derives from its effectiveness in treating leukorrhea (abnormal vaginal discharge) in women. The original plant “Suìmǐ Jì” (Hairy Bittercress) was first recorded in the Ming Dynasty work Yecai Pu (Wild Vegetable Manual). It is collected from February to May, dried in the sun or used fresh.
Efficacy & Actions
Clears heat, promotes diuresis, calms the spirit, and stops bleeding.
Indications
Indicated for damp-heat diarrhea and dysentery, heat strangury (painful dribbling urination), leukorrhea, palpitations, insomnia, deficiency fire toothache, infantile malnutrition, hematemesis (vomiting blood), hematochezia (blood in stool), and furuncles. It may also be used for dizziness, red eyes, and corneal opacity.
Modern Pharmacology
Currently, specific modern pharmacological research on Bái Dài Cǎo is relatively limited. Its traditional therapeutic effects are primarily based on traditional Chinese medical theory and clinical experience. Related plants of the genus Cardamine, such as Cardamine hirsuta, contain flavonoids and other components with potential antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities, but the specific mechanisms of action require further investigation.
Ingredients
Specific research on the chemical constituents of Bái Dài Cǎo is limited. The specific active components contained in it require further analysis and confirmation.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 15–30 g; or crush and extract the juice for oral administration. For external use: apply an appropriate amount of fresh herb, crushed and applied topically to the affected area.
Contraindications
There are currently no clear contraindications documented for this herb. Pregnant women and those with a deficiency-cold constitution should use it under the guidance of a physician. During the medication period, avoid spicy and greasy foods.
Selected Formulas
For damp-heat diarrhea and dysentery with scanty dark urine (Sichuan Chinese Materia Medica, 1982 edition) Take 15g of Suimiji (Cardamine hirsuta), 15g of Huotanmu (Polygonum chinense), and 30g of Cheqianzi (Plantago seed). Decoct in water and drink. For leukorrhea (Qinling Bashan Natural Medicines Records) Take 30g each of fresh Suimiji and Sanbaicao (Saururus chinensis). Decoct in water and drink. For hematemesis and hematochezia (Sichuan Chinese Materia Medica, 1982 edition) Take 15g of Suimiji, 9g of Cebaiye (Platycladus leaf), 12g of Shengdi (Rehmannia root), and 9g of Jingjietan (charred Schizonepeta). Decoct in water and drink. For toothache due to deficient fire (empirical formula) Take 15g of Suimiji, decoct in water and drink. For furuncles (empirical formula) Take an appropriate amount of fresh Baidaicao (Suimiji), crush and apply externally to the affected area.
Medicinal Parts
Dried whole plant.
Selection & Storage
Store in a ventilated, dry place, protected from moisture.
