- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- China
- Traditions
- Chinese medical traditions
Asia · Herb · № 692
Scutellaria barbata
Herb · Asia
Barbat skullcap (ban zhi lian)
Scutellaria barbata
Traditionally attributed effects: cools the blood, moves blood stagnation and reduces swellings; for hepatitis.
Safety notes
Not during pregnancy or with blood deficiency. 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: It is being researched in China for cancer; that research is no reason to replace treatment.
Preparation
Aerial parts. 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'. In modern Chinese medicine ban zhi lian is widely used in prescriptions alongside cancer treatment, often together with bai hua she she cao; clinical evidence is lacking. Traditionally it was used for snakebites and swellings.
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
- pungent, bitter, cold
- Meridians
- liver, lung, stomach
Attributed effects
For abscesses and wounds with heat or blood stagnation, toxic swellings and snakebites, and liver heat in hepatitis.
Preparation and amount
Traditional dosage: 15–30 g a day, usually in a decoction.
Caution: It is being researched in China for cancer; that research is no reason to replace treatment.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Decoction