Wiseman’s Chinese Medical Database

mǎ biān cǎo / 马鞭草 / 馬鞭草 / verbena;

Latin pharmacognostic name: Verbenae Herba

Alternate English names: vervain

Alternate Chinese names:

Origin: Plant

Use: medicinal

Category: Blood-Quickening Stasis-dispelling agents / Blood-quickening menses-regulating agents

Properties: Bitter; slightly cold.

Channel entry: liver and spleen channels.

Indications:

• Quickens the blood and disperses stasis: Amenorrhea; menstrual pain; concretions and conglomerations.
• Clears heat and resolves toxin: Throat impediment (hóu bì); toxin swelling of welling-abscesses (yōng) and sores; gān of the teeth and gums.
• Interrupts malaria: Malarial disease.
• Disinhibits water and disperses swelling: Water swelling; drum distension (ascites).

  Dosage & Method:

  Oral: Decoct 15–30g. Topical: Appropriate amount.

  Warning:

  Use with care in pregnancy.

  Quality:

  Best are dry, green plants with inflorescences but no stalks.

  Product Area:

  Produced mainly in Húběi, Jiāngsū, Guǎngxī, and Guìzhōu, and to a lesser extent in ānhuī, Zhèjiāng, Húnán, Jiāngxī, Fújiàn, Héběi, and Sìchuān.