Hydrocotyle benguetensis Elm.
Aliases：Biàn Dì Jǐn (literally "Changing Ground Brocade") and Biàn Dì Jīn (literally "Gold Everywhere" / "Ground Cover Gold"). (These are alternative names for Qì Yè Zhǐ Xuè Cǎo, i.e., Hydrocotyle benguetensis.)
Qì Yè Zhǐ Xuè Cǎo is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the whole herb of Hydrocotyle benguetensis Elm. [H. ranunculifolia Ohwi], a plant belonging to the family Umbelliferae (Apiaceae).
Efficacy & Actions
Clears heat, cools blood, treats strangury, and detoxifies.
Indications
Common cold, sore throat, high fever with delirium, diarrhea and dysentery, strangury (urolithiasis), traumatic swelling and pain, boils, and herpes zoster (shingles).
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 15–30 g; or crush and extract the juice. For topical application: appropriate amount, mashed and applied.
Selected Formulas
For sore throat (empirical formula) Take 40g each of Biandi Jin (Acerleaf Spikemoss, also known as a local herb), Zhuyecao (a local herb), and Baizhengcao (a local herb). Crush to extract juice, add salt, and take orally. For encephalitis and enteritis (empirical formula) Take appropriate amounts of Biandi Jin, Majijin (Dichondra repens), Hankecao (Centella asiatica), Hushenshi (a local herb), Yexiahong (a local herb), Hongge Hanke Zai Cao (a local herb), and Shuizhucao (a local herb). Crush to extract juice, warm gently, add cinnabar (Zhusha), and take orally. Use the residue to decoct in water and drink as tea. For kidney stones (empirical formula) Take 75-150g of fresh Biandi Jin, decoct in water and drink. For infantile congenital toxicosis (empirical formula) Take 40g each of fresh Biandi Jin, Herudoucao (a local herb), Majijin, Mabiancao (Verbena officinalis), Yizhixiang (a local herb), and Shuweihuang (a local herb). Crush to extract juice, mix with winter honey, and take orally.
Medicinal Parts
It is the dried whole herb of Hydrocotyle benguetensis Elm., a plant belonging to the family Umbelliferae (Apiaceae).
Selection & Storage
Use fresh when possible; for storage, keep in a cool, dry place, protected from moisture and insects.
