Dictamnus, White Dittany, Bai Xian Pi 白鲜皮

Polemonium of the ancients; Fraxinella
Bai Xian Pi (Root-bark of the Chinese Dittany)
Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578

Flora von Deutschland (21), Kohler, 1885

Members CLICK HERE for the PRO VERSION
Botanical name:
Dictamnus alba (syn. D. fraxinella, Fraxinella dictamnus)
D. dasycarpus and D. angustifolius are the Chinese Dittany

Parts used:
Root; Chinese use the Root-bark

Temperature & Taste:
Cold (Warm in West), dry. Bitter
opens

Classifications:
2F. PURIFYING    2M. DRAWING
3A. SUDORIFICS & DIAPHORETICS    3C. ALEXIPHARMICS    3D. CORDIALS & CARDIACS    3G. EMMENAGOGUE
4c. CARDIAC
Preparers and Purgers of Melancholy
Clear the Exterior
Clear Heat

ADVERTISEMENT:

Uses:
1. Clears Wind-Heat, Resists Poison (West, TCM);
-Infectious and Epidemic diseases
-Venomous Bites and Poisons
-diseases of various kinds due to Wind-Heat (Zhen Quan)

2. Clears Heat from the Blood (TCM, West):
-Eczema, Dermatosis, Urticaria, Scabies, Pustules, Boils etc.
-skin inflammations with Yellow Watery discharge (Chinese Pharmacopoeia)

3. Clears Heat and Damp (TCM, West):
-Jaundice; Hepatitis (TCM, West)
-obstruction of Urine, water retention
-distilled water was used for Stones (Lonicerus)
-acute Rheumatic Arthralgia (Chinese Pharmacopoeia); used for joint diseases in East and West
-'difficulty in moving the extremities' (Ming Yi Bie Lu)
-"Dittany expels the viscous fluids from the Chest and Lungs" (Avicenna)

4. Clears Wind and Heat, Calms the Heart:
-Cordial
-Melancholy, Epilepsy, Neurasthenia, Nervousness, Hysteria
-Cheers the Spirits; 'revives a languishing nature'

5. Moves the Blood, Promotes Menstruation (West):
-benefits the Womb
-clears obstructions, promotes Menstruation; Amenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea
-'it acts as an emmenagogue, and is an expellent of the foetus when dead or lying transversely in the uterus.' (Pliny)
-"Its oral use helps in clearing post-parturition Blood" (Avicenna)

6. Kills Worms

7. Externally:
-boiled in oil for Bruises, Aches, Sprains, Joint-pain etc.
-externally for inflammatory skin conditions, boils, rashes, carbuncles etc.
-powder with Honey was applied to Ulcers or Fistulas, including those in the corner of the Eyes
-powder with Honey was applied to Ulcers, Abscesses and Cancers of the Nose (Wirtzung)
-Extracts darts and thorns from the skin
-the Chinese Dittany is used topically for vaginal discharge with Itching.


Dose:
... available in PRO version

Substitute:
... available in PRO version

Comment:
... available in PRO version

Main Combinations:
1. Phthisis and Consumption, Dittany, ... available in PRO version
2. Epilepsy, Dittany with ... available in PRO version
3. Strengthen the Heart, benefit the Memory, ... available in PRO version
4. Stomach pain, Dittany and ... available in PRO version
5. To promote Menstruation, or for Mola:
i. Dittany, ... available in PRO version
ii. Dittany, ... available in PRO version
iii. Dittany, ... available in PRO version
iv. as a pessary, Diittany, ... available in PRO version
6. Dysmenorrhea, Uterine growths, Dittany with ... available in PRO version
7. Hysteria:
i. Dittany with ... available in PRO version
ii. Dittany, ... available in PRO version
8. Metrorrhagia, Dittany with ... available in PRO version
9. Red, Itchy skin lesions:
i. ... available in PRO version
ii. ... available in PRO version
iii. ... available in PRO version
10. Psoriasis:
i. Sophora Ku Shen with ... available in PRO version
ii. Externally for Psoriasis, ... available in PRO version
11. Edema from Cold, Dittany ... available in PRO version
12. Stoppage of Urine, Stones: ... available in PRO version
13. Worms:
i. Dittany (1 dram), ... available in PRO version
ii. Dittany with ... available in PRO version

Major Formulas:
Syrup of Balm (Fernelius)
Troches of Myrrh (Rhasis)
Orvietan Antidote
Electuary of Eggs (Maximilian)

ADVERTISEMENT:
Cautions:
1. The related Chinese species has been found to induce severe allergic reaction in susceptible people.
2. Mutagenic and Phototoxic effects have been reported (Duke)

Main Preparations used:
Distilled Water