Single Herb Glossary
Bái Xiān Pí 白蘚皮
| Pharmaceutical name | Dictamni Dasycarpi Radicis, Cortex “white fresh bark” |
| Category | Clear Heat, Resolve Toxicity |
| Key Properties | Expels damp heat in blood vessels of muscles Drains damp heat through urine Stops itching, Clears sores Relieves BI syndromes |
| Properties | Bitter Cold |
| Tropism | SP/ST |
| Actions & Indications | 1) Clear heat, resolve fire toxicity, expel wind, dry damp sores, carbuncles, rash due to fire toxins, damp heat – pus exudation “Skin expert” 2) clear damp-heat, stop itching |
| Dosages | 4.5-9 g |
| Contraindications (TCM) | Caution for patients with eczema or liver disease |
| Contraindications (Western) | |
| Chemical Composition | Alkaloid (dictamnine, skimmianine), triterpenoids (dictamnolactone, obacunone), dictamnolide, campesterol, sitosterol, limonoids, fraxinellore, limonin, rutaevin |
| Pharmacological Effects | • Antifungal: water decoction has inhibitory effect against various pathogenic fungi • Cardiovascular: small dose of dictamnine stimulates frog heart specimens, increasing cardiac contractility and cardiac output; also causes constriction of blood vessels in rabbits |
| Herb-Drug Interactions | • Antineoplastic drugs: obacunone may potentiate effect of microtubule inhibitors; it was found that with the presence of obacunone, the cytotoxicity of vincristine, vinblastine and paclitaxel are all potentiated; however, no potentiating cytotoxic effects between obacunone and other antineoplastic drugs such as adriamycin, cisplatin or 5-florouracil |
| Classical Formula(s) |
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.