Stellaria Root (Yin Chai Hu)

銀柴胡

Stellaria root (Yinchaihu)

Pharmaceutical Name: Radix Stellariae

Botanical Name: Stellaria dichotoma L. var. lanceolata Bge.

Common Name: Stellaria root

Source of Earliest Record: Bencao Gangmu Shiyi

Part Used: The roots are dug in autumn or the Beginning of Spring (first solar term). After the fibrous roots are removed, the roots are cleaned in water, dried in the sun and cut into slices.

Natural Properties & Taste: Sweet and slightly cold

Meridians: Liver and stomach

Therapeutic Effects:
1. To reduce heat caused by deficient yin.

2. To clear heat in infants caused by malnutrition.

Indications:
1. Heat signs due to deficiency of yin manifested as afternoon fever and night sweating. Stellaria root (Yinchaihu) is used with Sweet wormwood (Qinghao), Turtle shell (Biejia) and Wolfberry bark (Digupi) in the formula Qinggu San.

2. Infantile malnutrition manifested as swollen abdomen and emaciation. Stellaria root (Yinchaihu) is used with Capejasmine (Zhizi), Pilose asiabell root (Dangshen) and Scutellaria root (Huangqin) in the formula Chaihu Qinggan Tang.

Dosage: 3-10 g

Cautions & Contraindications: This herb is contraindicated in fever due to invasion by exogenous pathogenic wind and cold, or in cases with deficient blood syndrome but no signs of heat.