Leaf of Operculate Cleistocalyx
Aliases：Shuǐ Róng Yè (Water Banyan Leaf).
Shuǐ Wēng Yè (Water Banyan Leaf) is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the dried leaf of Cleistocalyx operculatus (Roxb.) Merr. et Perry, a plant belonging to the family Myrtaceae.
Efficacy & Actions
Clears heat and relieves food stagnation; detoxifies and kills parasites; dries dampness and relieves itching.
Indications
Damp-heat diarrhea and dysentery, food stagnation with abdominal distension, breast abscess (acute mastitis), eczema, beriberi (tinea pedis), scabies and tinea, skin itching, knife wounds, and gunshot wounds.
Modern Pharmacology
The polysaccharide components it contains have been confirmed to possess strong antioxidant activity. The roots, stems, and leaves are slightly toxic and have the effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, dispelling wind-dampness, dispersing stasis, and unblocking the collaterals.
Ingredients
It mainly contains flavonoid glycosides, phenolic compounds, amino acids, sugars, and other components. Modern research has also found that it contains antitumor components such as C-methyl flavonoids and novel pentacyclic triterpenoids.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, the usual dosage is 6–15 g. For external use: apply an appropriate amount, either crushed and applied topically, or decocted in water for washing the affected area.
Contraindications
Patients with Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold and diarrhea should use with caution or avoid use altogether.
Selected Formulas
For gastroenteritis and infantile food stagnation (empirical formula) Take 15–30g of dried water banyan leaves, decoct in water and drink (half the dose for children). For acute mastitis (empirical formula) Take 120g of fresh water banyan leaves, crush them, heat with wine, and apply to the affected area. For chronic ulcers that do not heal for years (empirical formula) Take an appropriate amount of water banyan leaves and Lantana leaves, decoct in water, and wash the affected area externally until healed. For gunshot wounds and knife wounds (empirical formula) Take an appropriate amount of fresh young leaves of water banyan, crush and apply to the wound.
Medicinal Parts
Leaf of the plant.
