Laggera pterodonta (DC.) Benth.
Aliases：Shī Zi Cǎo (Lion's Tooth Herb), Chòu Yè Zi (Stinky Leaf), Liù Léng Jú (Six-angled Chrysanthemum), Dà Hēi Yào (Big Black Herb), Shān Lín Dān (Mountain Forest Elixir), Lù Er Lín (Deer Ear Forest), and others.
Chòu Líng Dān is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the root and whole plant of Laggera pterodonta (DC.) Benth. [also known as Blumea pterodonta DC.; Laggera purpurascens Sch.-Bip. ex Hochst.], a plant belonging to the family Asteraceae. The entire plant has a strong unpleasant odor. The stem is cylindrical with 4–6 longitudinal wings, the margins of which are serrated. It is named for its strong, distinctive odor.
Efficacy & Actions
Clears heat and detoxifies; promotes blood circulation; relieves cough and resolves phlegm.
Indications
For oral administration: Respiratory tract infections: Such as wind-heat cold (common cold with wind-heat pattern), influenza, fever, cough, sore throat, tonsillitis, tracheitis, and others. Other inflammatory conditions: Such as stomatitis, mumps, otitis media, and others. For external use: It may be used for treating carbuncles, sores and boils, burns and scalds, snakebites, traumatic injuries, fractures, and others.
Modern Pharmacology
Antibacterial and antiviral effects: It exhibits inhibitory effects against various bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus, and Helicobacter pylori. Its extract also shows inhibitory effects against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and other viruses. Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects: Network pharmacology studies suggest that its anti-inflammatory effects may be achieved through multiple components and multiple targets. In addition, studies have found that Chòu Líng Dān can modulate the inflammatory and immune responses induced by the H3N2 virus. Expectorant and antitussive effects: Animal experiments have shown that Chòu Líng Dān can significantly reduce mucus secretion in the upper respiratory tract, exhibiting expectorant effects. Antitumor effects: Its extract shows strong inhibitory effects against acute leukemia cells and others in vitro. Others: It has also shown certain potential in mechanistic studies for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 infection.
Ingredients
Volatile oils: The main source of its characteristic strong odor. Flavonoids: Such as patuletin, tamarixetin, and others. Sesquiterpenoids: Such as eudesmane-type sesquiterpenes and their glycosides. Others: Also contains pterodontriol, ilicic acid, β-sitosterol, and others.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, usual dosage 9–15 g. It may also be taken by crushing and extracting the juice, or by grinding into powder. 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
Pregnant women should use with caution or avoid use altogether. Use with caution in patients with Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold; excessive or prolonged use is not recommended. Avoid tobacco, alcohol, and spicy, pungent, or fishy foods during the medication period. Use with caution in cases of sore throat due to wind-cold common cold.
Selected Formulas
For mumps (empirical formula) Take fresh Choulingdan (Laggera pterodonta), crush and apply to the affected area. For unhealed skin lesions after chickenpox in children (empirical formula) Take Choulingdan leaves and apply them directly to the affected area. For malaria (intermittent fever) (empirical formula) Take 7 tips of Choulingdan, crush to extract juice, mix with a little burnt wine, and drink. For asthma (empirical formula) Take 30g of fresh Choulingdan, decoct briefly and strain. Combine the filtrate with half a bowl of raw soy milk, decoct together, and take with honey as a guide.
Medicinal Parts
Dried whole plant.
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place.
