Fragaria nilgerrensis Herba
Aliases：Sān Pǐ Fēng (Three-Horse Wind), Yě Yáng Méi (Wild Yangberry), Cǎo Méi (Strawberry), Bái Pào Er (White Bubble), Bái Pāo (White Strawberry Fruit), Bái Pú Cǎo (White Rush Grass), Bái Dì Méi (White Ground Berry), Zhǐ Dà Sà Zēng (Tibetan name).
Bái Cǎo Méi is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. It is the whole plant of Fragaria nilgerrensis Schlecht. ex Gay, a plant belonging to the genus Fragaria of the family Rosaceae. The whole plant is covered with soft hairs. The root is long and conical, covered with scales, with numerous fibrous roots. The stem has yellowish-brown soft hairs. The basal leaves have long petioles and are spreading; the leaves are trifoliate, with leaflets ovate-rounded, obtuse at the apex, broadly cuneate at the base, with coarsely serrate margins, 2–3 cm long and 1.5–2 cm wide. Some specimens may have pale yellow, shriveled small flowers, and spherical aggregate fruits that are yellowish-white or red, with small ovoid achenes.
Efficacy & Actions
Clears the Lung and relieves cough; detoxifies and reduces swelling. It is also recorded as having the effects of dispelling wind, clearing heat, and promoting bone and tendon healing.
Indications
Indicated for lung-heat cough and wheezing, whooping cough, mouth sores, dysentery, painful urination, sores and swellings, snakebites, and fractures. It may also be used for wind-heat cough, oral ulcers, hematuria, urinary tract infections, burns and scalds, and tuberculosis of the lumbar spine.
Modern Pharmacology
Modern research has shown that Bái Cǎo Méi is rich in nutrients such as vitamin C, carotene, folic acid, iron, and calcium, exhibiting antioxidant, immune-enhancing, cardiovascular protective, and anticancer effects. Ursolic acid found in white strawberries has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and antioxidant effects. Anthocyanins in white strawberries also possess antioxidant activity. In addition, the antioxidant capacity of strawberries is 2 to 11 times that of common fruits such as apples, pears, tomatoes, and citrus.
Ingredients
Preliminary tests indicate the presence of tannins, sterols, and phenolic substances, while flavonoids, amino acids, and organic acids were not prominently detected. The fruit is rich in water (approximately 90.7%), proteins, fats, carbohydrates, crude fiber, carotene, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and various vitamins.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 15–30 g. Some sources also document 15–25 g, or 3–5 qián (approximately 9–15 g). For external use: apply an appropriate amount, crushed and applied topically.
Contraindications
However, it should be used with caution in patients with Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold and during pregnancy.
Selected Formulas
For lumbar tuberculosis and fractures (empirical formula) Take 15–30g of Bai Caomei (white strawberry), decoct in water and drink. Additionally, take an appropriate amount of fresh herb, crush and apply externally. For venomous snake bites, boils, and furuncles (empirical formula) Take an appropriate amount of fresh Bai Caomei, crush with brown sugar, and apply externally to the affected area. For burns and scalds (empirical formula) Take an appropriate amount of fresh Bai Caomei, crush with brown sugar, and apply externally.
Medicinal Parts
Dried whole plant.
Selection & Storage
Store in a ventilated, dry place, protected from moisture.
