Chinese pulsatilla (bai tou weng)

Pulsatilla chinensis

Traditionally attributed effects: for hot, bloody dysentery, amoebae and vaginal trichomonas.

Safety notes

Not for chronic diarrhoea from spleen deficiency. The fresh plant is toxic and irritating. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.

Cautions by tradition (1)

Chinese materia medica: Always have dysentery with blood and fever treated medically.

Preparation

Root. Usually as a decoction, together with other herbs.

Use in traditions

Described in the classical Chinese materia medica, in the group 'herbs that cool heat and detoxify'. Bai tou weng means 'old man with a white head', after the fluffy seed heads. It is the chief herb of Bai Tou Weng Tang for dysentery with blood and mucus.

Applications

Use by tradition

How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.

Chinese materia medica

Nature and taste: bitter, cold
Meridians: liver, stomach, large intestine

Attributed effects

Cools heat and 'toxin' in the blood in bloody diarrhoea, dysentery (also from amoebae), haemorrhoids and vaginal inflammation with itching and frothy, smelly discharge.

Preparation and amount

Traditional dosage: 6–15 g a day, usually in a decoction.

Combinations

With huang lian, huang bai and qin pi in bai tou weng tang
With ku shen as a douche for trichomonas

Caution: Always have dysentery with blood and fever treated medically.

Ways to prepare herbs: Decoction
Formulas: Bai tou weng tang

Sources

All herbs from Asia →