Lophatherum Leaf (Dan Zhu Ye)

淡竹葉

Lophatherum (Danzhuye)

Pharmaceutical Name: Herba Lophatheri

Botanical Name: Lophatherum gracile Brongn.

Common Name: Lophatherum

Source of Earliest Record: Bencao Gangmu

Part Used: The leaves are gathered in summer, dried in the sun and cut into pieces.

Natural Properties & Taste: Sweet or no taste and cold

Meridians: Heart, stomach and small intestine

Therapeutic Effects:
1. To clear heat and benefit urination.

2. To clear heat in the heart and lessen irritability.

Indications:
1. Febrile diseases manifested as irritability, thirst and fever. Lophatherum (Danzhuye) is used with Gypsum (Shigao) and Anemarrhena rhizome (Zhimu).

2. Heat in heart, stomach and small intestine manifested as ulcerations of the mouth and tongue and scanty, painful urination. Lophatherum (Danzhuye) is used with Fresh rehmannia root (Shengdihuang) and Clematis stem (Mutong).

Dosage: 5-10 g

Cautions & Contraindications: The herb should be used with caution during pregnancy .