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Commelina, Ya Zhi Cao 鸭跖草

Dayflower
Kanchata (Ayurveda)
Ya Zhi Cao (TCM)
Commelina communis
Redouté, P.J., Liliacées (1802-1816)

Commelina communis
(Photo by NotAnonymous) (Wikimedia)

Botanical name:
Commelina communis
C. bengalensis is used in some parts of China, as well as in India. In India, other species used include C. diffusa, C. paludosa, C. obliqua, C. salicifolia

Parts used:
Herb/whole plant

Temperature & Taste:
Cool, dry. Sweet, slightly Bitter

Classification:
B. Clear Heat

Uses:
1. Clears Heat and Toxin, Drains Fire:
-Fever associated with acute Heat disease including Cold and Flu
-acute Sore Throat from Heat and Toxin; Laryngitis Tonsillitis
-Toxic Sores; Boils, Carbuncles and Abscesses (TCM, Ayurveda)
-Malaria with Chills and Fever (Chen Cang Qi)
-Dysentery (Chen Cang Qi)
-Leprosy (Ayurveda)
-Conjunctivitis
-venomous Snake and Insect Bites (Barefoot Doctors Manual); also Dog Bite

2. Clears Heat and Damp, Promotes Urine
-hot and painful urination; dribbling urine (TCM, Ayurveda)
-urinary obstruction with Edema, Ascites
-Gonorrhea (Barefoot Doctors Manual; Ayurveda)
-Arthralgia


Dose:
In Decoction: 10–30 grams (30–60 grams fresh)
The herb beaten into pulp can be applied to Toxic swellings

Comment:
In India, parts of China and elsewhere, the herb is eaten as a vegetable,

Substitute:
Lophatherum Dan Zhu Ye

Main Combinations:
1. Fever:
i. Commelina with Mint (Bo He) and Burdock seed (Niu Bang Zi)
ii. Commelina with Phargmatis Lu Gen and Gypsum (Shi Gao)
2. Acute Sore Throat, including Sore Throat associated with Mumps, Commelina with Isatidis Ban Lan Gen and Scrophularia Xuan Shen
3. Carbuncles and Boils, Commelina with Viola Zi Hua Di Ding, Chrysanthemum indicum Ye Ju Hua
4. Painful Urination from Heat and Damp, Commelina with Plantain herb (Che Qian Cao) and Lophatherum Dan Zhu Ye
5. Arthralgia, Commelina with Adzuki bean (Da Ming)

Major Formulas:

Cautions:
Caution in Cold and Weakness of the Stomach

Main Preparations used: