Cynanchum Atratum Root (Bai Wei)

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