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Herbs & Cultures
Image of Schizonepeta (jing jie)

Asia · Herb · № 657

Schizonepeta tenuifolia

Region
Asia
Origin
East Asia, especially China
2 traditionsImage: Doronenko · CC BY 2.5

Herb · Asia

Schizonepeta (jing jie)

Schizonepeta tenuifolia

Traditionally attributed effects: opens the surface in colds (warm or cool, depending on the combination), helps rashes come out and, charred, stops bleeding.

Safety notes

Not with spontaneous sweating, headache from deficiency or a rash that has already fully erupted. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.

Preparation

Flowering herb. Usually as a decoction, together with other herbs.

Use in traditions

Described in the classical Chinese materia medica, in the group 'herbs that open the surface'. Jing jie opens the exterior in colds and itchy rashes; roasted it stops bleeding. It is part of Jing Fang Bai Du San and the Japanese Jumihaidokuto for acne and eczema.

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, neutral, aromatic
Meridians
lung, liver

Attributed effects

Expels wind in wind-cold or wind-heat, helps measles and itchy rashes come out, stops (charred) blood in the stool and uterine bleeding and shrinks abscesses. Also antispasmodic.

Preparation and amount

Traditional dosage: 3–9 g a day, steeped briefly. For colds and flu: boil jing jie, a little mint and fermented black beans briefly, and stir the tea into a rice porridge.

Combinations

  • With chan tui, burdock seed and mint for measles and itching
  • With fang feng, huang qin and lian qiao for wind-heat
Ways to prepare herbs
Tea (infusion)Decoction