Single Herb Glossary
Cè Bǎi Yè 側柏葉
| Pharmaceutical name | Platycladi Cacumen Oriental arborvitae leafy twig, "lateral fir leaves" |
| Category | Stop Bleeding |
| Key Properties | Cools heat Inhibits bleeding due to blood heat Stops coughs |
| Properties | Bitter Astringent Slightly Cold |
| Tropism | LU, LV, LI |
| Actions & Indications | 1) Cools Blood & Stops Bleeding 2) Stop Cough & Expel Phlegm (blood-streaked sputum, difficult to spit) 3) Promotes Healing of Burns; Hair Loss/Tincture |
| Dosages | 6-15g |
| Contraindications (TCM) | Caution with Deficiency and Cold of SP & ST, may cause diarrhea Caution with bleeding and Blood stasis (stasis may become more difficult to disperse) |
| Contraindications (Western) | |
| Chemical Composition | Volatile oil, juniperic acid, sabinic acid |
| Pharmacological Effects | • Hemostatic: decoction has demonstrated marked influence to shorten bleeding time in mice and rabbits; interestingly, fresh herb found to be slightly more effective than charred herb • Antitussive: oral administration of water and alcohol extracts in mice at 250 mg/kg demonstrated marked ability to relieve artificially induced cough • Expectorant: extract demonstrated marked expectorant effects in mice • Respiratory: extract demonstrated marked potency to relax smooth muscle of respiratory tract in mice and guinea pigs; did not, however, exhibit significant protective effect against asthma in guinea pigs • Sedative: decoction showed sedative action on CNS as it prolonged phenobarbital-induced sleeping time, decreased motor activities, and prevented caffeine-induced seizures in mice • Antihypertensive: intravenous or oral administration lowered blood pressure in rabbits through vasodilation • Antibiotic: inhibitory activity against S. aureus, Neisseria catarrhalis, Salmonella typhi, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, β-hemolytic streptococcus, and Bacillus anthracis |
| Herb-Drug Interactions | |
| Classical Formula(s) |
Si Sheng Wan (Four-Fresh Pill) 四生丸 Bai Ye Tang (Biota Twig Decoction) 柏葉湯 |
This information is a reference tool for Chinese herbal studies. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Please consult a primary health professional if you require health advisory.