白薇
Swallowwort root (Baiwei)
Pharmaceutical Name: Radix Cynanchi
Botanical Name: 1. Cynanchum atratum Bge.. 2. Cynanchum versicolor Bge.
Common Name: Swallowwort root
Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing
Part Used: The roots, or rhizomes, are gathered in autumn and dried in the sun.
Natural Properties & Taste: Bitter, salty and cold
Meridians: Stomach and liver
Therapeutic Effects:
1. To clear heat and cool blood.
2. To benefit urination and relieve urinary tract infection
Indications:
1. Internal heat and deficient yin manifested as afternoon fever and night sweating or as febrile disease due to exogenous pathogenic heat at the nutritive and blood levels and accompanied by sustained fever. Swallowwort root (Baiwei) is used with Wolfberry bark (Digupi) and Fresh rehmannia root (Shengdihuang).
2. Postpartum fever caused by deficient yin. Swallowwort root (Baiwei) is used with Ginseng (Renshen) and Chinese angelica root (Danggui).
3. Urinary tract infection manifested as heat syndrome or bloody urine. Swallowwort root (Baiwei) is used with Lophatherum (Danzhuye), Clematis stem (Mutong) and Talc (Huashi).
4. Boils, carbuncles, sore throat and snake bite. Swallowwort root (Baiwei) is used externally and internally.
Dosage: 3-12 g
