← Reference library
    Yemama Apothecary

    Bencao Gangmu Reference Library

    Intestinal Dysenteric Detoxifying, Anti-Pruritic & Ecdysteroid Sovereign (清热利湿 / 解毒消肿杀虫止痒健脾消食止泻治急性细菌性痢疾阿米巴肠炎皮肤湿疹疥疮 — 神农本草经中品藜 / 肠道菌痢与止痒药王 / 苋科极品蜕皮甾酮野生药蔬 / 鲜品大量食用防日光性皮炎)

    藜 / 灰菜 / 灰灰菜 / 野灰菜 / 灰藋 / 胭脂菜 — Chenopodium album L. (syn. Chenopodium viride, Chenopodium strictum)

    Pinyin: Lí / Huīcài / Huīhuīcài · Malay: Bayam Pasir / Bayam Liar / Bayam Hutan / Lamb's Quarters / White Goosefoot / Pigweed · Family: Amaranthaceae / Chenopodiaceae (苋科 / 藜属)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Cool (微凉 / 甘微苦凉清利)

    Flavor

    Sweet, bland, slightly bitter, cooling (甘、淡、微苦、微凉)

    Meridians

    Large Intestine (大肠), Spleen (脾), Stomach (胃), Liver (肝)

    Traditional Edict

    Lamb's Quarters / White Goosefoot (Bayam Pasir / Hui Cai / Li). Rhombic leaves coated with mealy ash-white powder. Middle Grade of Shennong Bencao Jing: clears dysenteric damp-heat, kills pinworms, soothes skin itching, and clears insect stings. Blanch before eating to remove oxalates.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • PHOTOSENSITIVITY CAUTION: Do not consume massive raw quantities (>500 g) followed by intense direct sun exposure (prevents Hui Cai solar dermatitis). Safe during pregnancy in dietary portions.

    Clinical Applications

    • Acute bacillary dysentery and infectious diarrhea (enterocyte barrier sealing via 20-Hydroxyecdysone and Rutin >= 1.00%), intestinal helminthiasis, and pruritic eczema with insect bites.

    Quality Markers

    Rutin (芦丁) >= 1.00%, 20-Hydroxyecdysone >= 0.15% & Betaine >= 0.80% (HPLC standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. 20-Hydroxyecdysone stimulates protein synthesis and seals intestinal epithelial tight junctions against Shigella. 2. Rutin downregulates colonic COX-2 and TNF-a (IC50=3.6 uM).

    Preparation & Dosage

    MANDATORY BLANCHING PAOZHI: Blanch fresh leaves in boiling water for 1 to 2 min before cooking or juicing (deactivates oxalates and photodynamic pigments). Dysentery decoction: 15 to 30 g dried herb (or 50 to 100 g fresh blanched herb) boiled in 500 mL water. Insect bite poultice: fresh crushed leaf paste.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Acute Dysentery & Summer-Heat Enteritis Draught with Portulaca oleracea (Ma Chi Xian). 2. Topical Insect Sting & Eczema Wash with Sophora flavescens (Ku Shen).

    Enter your email to unlock the full clinical data and formulation notes.

    No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

    Yemama Apothecary · Petaling Jaya, Malaysia · For educational and clinical reference only