Gynura divaricata (L.) DC.
Aliases：Dà Féi Niú (Big Fat Cow), Tǔ Shēng Dì (Earth-born Root), Bái Zǎi Cài Yào (White Seed Vegetable Herb), Sàn Xuè Jiāng (Blood-dispersing Ginger), Tǔ Tián Qī (Earth Field Seven), Bái Xuè Pí Cài (White Blood-skin Vegetable), Hú Dòu Qī (Broad Bean Seven), Pàng Er Cǎo (Chubby Herb), Dà Lǜ Yè (Large Green Leaf), Jiē Gǔ Dān (Bone-setting Pill), Jī Cài (Chicken Vegetable), Bái Fān Xiàn (White Amaranth), Bái Hóng Cài (White Red Vegetable), Dīng Bá (Boil Extractor), Chā Huā Sān Qī (Fork-flower Three-seven).
Bái Bèi Sān Qī Jīng Yè is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the stem and leaf of Gynura divaricata (L.) DC., a plant belonging to the family Asteraceae. This plant is a perennial herb, 30–50 cm tall, with a tuberous rhizome. The stem is purplish-red and covered with short hairs. The basal leaves are long-ovate or oblong-obovate, 9–15 cm long and about 8 cm wide, with irregularly incised and serrate margins. In folk medicine, Bái Bèi Sān Qī is also used as a medicinal and edible plant, and its stems and leaves are commonly steeped in boiling water as a tea.
Efficacy & Actions
Clears heat, relaxes the sinews, stops bleeding, and removes stasis. It is also recorded as having the effects of clearing heat, reducing inflammation, relaxing the sinews, activating collaterals, and promoting bone healing.
Indications
Indicated for whooping cough (pertussis), rheumatic pain, bone fractures, traumatic bleeding, and carbuncles and sores.
Modern Pharmacology
Hypoglycemic effects: In folk medicine, the stems and leaves are commonly steeped in boiling water as a tea for the treatment of diabetes. Its extracts help stabilize postprandial blood glucose levels by enhancing insulin sensitivity, promoting glucose uptake, and inhibiting α-glucosidase activity. Antihypertensive and lipid-lowering effects: The flavonoid compounds it contains have blood pressure-lowering and lipid-lowering effects. Hemostatic effects: Contains active components such as flavonoid glycosides, exhibiting good hemostatic effects. Anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, and antitumor effects. Heat-clearing and dampness-resolving effects: Can be used as adjunctive therapy for cystitis, urethritis, and acute gastroenteritis.
Ingredients
The stems and leaves of Bái Bèi Sān Qī contain a rich variety of chemical constituents, mainly including flavonoids, triterpenoids, glycosides, sterols, alkaloids, phenolic acids, and polysaccharides. Twenty-five compounds have been isolated from the stems and leaves. Flavonoids such as apigenin and luteolin are among its main active components.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 6–10 g (2–3 qián). For external use: apply an appropriate amount, crushed and applied topically, or ground into powder and sprinkled on the affected area.
Contraindications
This product is slightly toxic. It should not be consumed without proper syndrome differentiation and treatment by a qualified TCM practitioner. High doses may cause damage to organs such as the spleen, liver, and kidneys, exhibiting cumulative toxicity. Its toxicity mainly derives from the hepatic metabolite pyrrole. Some literature reports that it may have carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic effects.
Selected Formulas
For fractures and traumatic bleeding: Grind the stems and leaves of Bái Bèi Sān Qī into powder and sprinkle it over the affected area. Additionally, steep an appropriate amount of Bái Bèi Sān Qī root in wine and take orally. For burns and scalds: Crush fresh Bái Bèi Sān Qī leaves, mix with an appropriate amount of white sugar to form a paste, and apply to the affected area. For whooping cough (pertussis): Take 6–9 g (2–3 qián) of Bái Bèi Sān Qī stems, cook with brown sugar and eggs, and consume. For rheumatic pain: Take 9–15 g (3–5 qián) of Dà Lǜ Yè (Bái Bèi Sān Qī) leaves, cook with an appropriate amount of sugar and eggs, and consume. For boils and carbuncles: Grind Dà Lǜ Yè leaves into powder and apply to the affected area.
Daily Consumption
Tea infusion: In folk medicine, the stems and leaves are commonly steeped in boiling water as a tea for consumption.
Medicinal Parts
Dried stems and leaves.
Selection & Storage
Store in a ventilated, dry place, protected from moisture and mold.
