Inula cappa（Buch.-Ham.）DC.
Aliases：Bái Niú Dǎn (literally "White Ox Gallbladder"), Dà Lì Wáng (literally "Great Strength King"), Máo Lǎo Hǔ (literally "Hairy Tiger"), Guò Shān Xiāng (literally "Mountain‑Crossing Fragrance"), and Dà Dāo Yào (literally "Big Knife Medicine"). (These are all alternative names for Yáng ěr Jú, i.e., Sheepear Jurinea, Inula cappa.)
Yáng ěr Jú (Sheepear Jurinea) is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the root and whole herb of Inula cappa (Buch.-Ham.) DC. (also known as Duhaldea cappa (Buch.-Ham. ex DC.) Anderb.), a plant belonging to the family Asteraceae. It grows on sunny slopes, grasslands, or in shrub thickets.
Efficacy & Actions
Dispels wind and cold, promotes qi circulation and diuresis, resolves phlegm and relieves cough, reduces swelling and alleviates pain; it is also recorded as dispelling wind and clearing heat, and removing toxicity and reducing swelling.
Indications
Wind‑cold common cold, cough. Nervous headache, stomach pain. Rheumatic low back and leg pain, traumatic swelling and pain. Irregular menstruation, leukorrhea. Schistosomiasis. Diarrhea and dysentery, edema, hemorrhoids and eczema, scabies and ringworm. Rheumatic arthralgia, sore throat, carbuncles, boils and furuncles, breast abscess with swelling and pain.
Modern Pharmacology
Antibacterial effect: Extracts of Yáng ěr Jú exhibit inhibitory effects against Staphylococcus aureus, with the 60% ethanol extract showing the best antibacterial activity (MIC value: 62.5 mg/ml). Anti‑inflammatory effect: Yáng ěr Jú extracts (50–250 μg/ml) can effectively inhibit LPS‑induced NO release in RAW 264.7 cells. The ethyl acetate fraction of Inula cappa can significantly inhibit LPS‑induced production of IL‑6, IL‑1β, TNF‑α, and iNOS, exerting anti‑inflammatory activity through inhibition of the MAPK and NF‑κB pathways. Antioxidant effect: Exhibits free radical scavenging activity. Anti‑inflammatory and analgesic effect: This herb has antibacterial, anti‑inflammatory, and analgesic effects.
Ingredients
Sesquiterpenoids, inositol derivatives, triterpenoids, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 15–30 g; or 30–60 g; in Dai medicine, 10–20 g, decocted in water or ground and taken with the expressed juice. For topical application: appropriate amount of fresh herb, mashed and applied to the affected area.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with Yin deficiency with fire hyperactivity or internal heat with red eyes: Yáng ěr Jú is pungent and dispersing in nature; consumption may exacerbate internal heat in these individuals. Use with caution during pregnancy: Yáng ěr Jú is pungent and relatively stimulating; pregnant women may experience aggravated internal heat. Use with caution in infants and young children: Yáng ěr Jú is bitter and stimulating; the spleen and stomach of infants and young children are not fully developed. Avoid sour and spicy foods during the course of medication. Should not be taken in excessive amounts or on an empty stomach: Its pungent nature may irritate the gastrointestinal tract. Administration note: This herb has a strong odor; when taken alone, it may cause vomiting. It is usually taken with pork bone soup or in compound formulas to avoid vomiting. Should be used under the guidance of a physician: A prescription should be issued based on proper syndrome differentiation by a professional TCM practitioner.
Selected Formulas
For postpartum wind-cold (empirical formula) Take 18g of Yang'er Ju (Inula cappa), 9g of Hua Jingjie (a local herb), and 12g of Mu Furong (Hibiscus mutabilis). Decoct in water and drink. For gallstones and cholecystitis (empirical formula) Take 15g each of Yang'er Ju, Baihuasheshecao (Hedyotis diffusa), and Niupixiao (Cynanchum auriculatum), 30g of Lianqiancao (Glechoma longituba), and 6g of Shichangpu (Acorus tatarinowii). Decoct in water and take in three divided doses. For lower back and leg pain (empirical formula) Take 30g of Yang'er Ju, 18g of Huzhizi (Lespedeza bicolor) root, 9g of Dafengteng (a local herb), and 18g of Danggui (Angelica sinensis). Decoct in water and take in two divided doses daily. For impetigo (empirical formula) Take an appropriate amount of fresh whole plant of Bainiudan (Yang'er Ju), 60g of fresh Zijingpi (Kadsura longipedunculata) root, 6g of Mingfan (alum), and 60g of lard. Decoct in water and wash the affected area twice daily. For traumatic stasis and rheumatic bone pain (empirical formula) Take 90g of Daliwang (Yang'er Ju), 90g of Daye Nanwuwei (a local herb), and 60g of Bajiaowang (a local herb). Soak in 1.5kg of wine. Take 15-30g twice daily, and also apply the wine to the affected area externally. For wound ulceration after venomous snake bite (empirical formula) Take appropriate amounts of Daliwang (Yang'er Ju), Jiaputaoteng (a local herb), and Pudizhan (a local herb). Decoct in water and wash the affected area 3-5 times daily.
Daily Consumption
Decoction: Take the root of Yáng ěr Jú, wash it, place it in a pot, and decoct in water. Strain the liquid. Shelled eggs may be added and cooked together; drink the soup and eat the eggs. Soup: Can be cooked with pork bone to reduce the vomiting caused by its strong odor. Yáng ěr Jú can be prepared as a decoction or infusion, but should not be taken in excessive amounts or on an empty stomach.
Medicinal Parts
Root and whole herb; the dried above‑ground parts are also used.
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place, protected from moisture and insects.
