Swallow-wort root (bai wei)

Cynanchum atratum

Traditionally attributed effects: cools the blood in fever from deficiency, including after childbirth, and in painful urination.

Safety notes

Not with diarrhoea or without real heat. 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: Fever after childbirth is an emergency: see a doctor at once.

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 the blood'. Bai wei cools heat in the blood in persistent low-grade fever, night sweats and fever after childbirth. It is also used for urinary tract infections.

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, salty, cold
Meridians: stomach, kidney, liver, lung

Attributed effects

Cools the blood and heat from deficiency: persistent fever in children, fever after a febrile illness or after childbirth. Promotes urination in hot, painful urination with blood and detoxifies in hot ulcers, sore throat and (externally) snakebites.

Preparation and amount

Traditional dosage: 3–9 g a day, usually in a decoction.

Combinations

With dang gui, ginseng and licorice for fever after childbirth
With dan zhu ye for cystitis from yin deficiency

Caution: Fever after childbirth is an emergency: see a doctor at once.

Ways to prepare herbs: Decoction

Sources

All herbs from Asia →