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Scutellaria barbata, Ban Zhi Lian 半枝莲

Barbat Skullcap
Ban Zhi Lian (TCM)
Wight, R., Icones Plantarum Indiae Orientalis (1846)
Botanical name:
Scutellaria barbata (syn. S. rivularis)

Parts used:
Herb

Temperature & Taste:
Cold, dry. Pungent, slightly Bitter

Classification:
B. Clear Heat and Toxin

Uses:
1. Clears Heat and Toxins, Resolves Swellings:
-Sores, Boils, Abscesses, Furuncles (topically and internally)
-Cold, Flu, Fever from Wind-Heat and Toxin
-Snake Bite (topically and internally)

2. Clears Toxin, Resolves Masses:
-Hepatitis
-recently used for various types of Cancer

3. Clears Damp-Heat, Promotes Urine:
-Edema from Damp-Heat
-Jaundice
-Ascites related to Cirrhosis

4. Moves the Blood, Stops Bleeding:
-Trauma, Bruising
-Vomiting Blood, painful Bloody and dribbling urine


DOSE:
15–30 grams in decoction; 30–60 grams of the fresh herb.
Fresh herb is beaten to a paste for topically application.

COMMENT:
This, along with Hedyotis Bai Hua She She Cao have become commonly used anti-cancer medicines in modern China. They are often combined for various Cancers.

SUBSTITUTE:
1. Andrographis Chuan Xin Lian is similar in effect and can be used in place (not for Cancer). Andrographis is stronger to clear Heat, but Scutellaria Ban Zhi Lian is better to remove stagnation, clear masses and is specifically used for Cancer.

Main Combinations:
In modern Cancer treatment, it is regularly combined with Hedyotis Bai Hua She She Cao

1. Furuncles, Boils and Toxic Sores, Scutellaria barbata Ban Zhi Lian with Chrysanthemum indicum Ye Ju hua, Violet (Zi Hua Di Ding)
2. Cancer:
i. general for Cancer, Scutellaria barbata Ban Zhi Lian with Hedyotis Bai Hua She She Cao, Black Nightshade (Long Kui), Agrimony (Xian He Cao)
ii. of the Liver, Scutellaria barbata Ban Zhi Lian with Salvia Dan Shen, Paeonia Bai Shao
iii. of the Liver, Scutellaria barbata Ban Zhi Lian with Agrimony (Xian He Cao), Black Nightshade (Long Kui)
iv. of the Liver, Scutellaria barbata Ban Zhi Lian with Paris root, Bezoar (Niu Huang), Cremastra Shan Ci Gu, Pseudoginseng San Qi, Centipede (Wu Gong), Zedoaria (E Zhu).
v. Gastric Cancer, Scutellaria barbata Ban Zhi Lian with Hedyotis Bai Hua She She Cao. Clinical trials using these 2 medicines showed a cure rate of approximately 25% in intermediate to advanced cases, taken on a long-term basis.
vi. Gastric or Esophageal Cancer from Phlegm and Heat with Qi and Blood stagnation, Scutellaria barbata Ban Zhi Lian with Dandelion (Pu Gong Ying), Hedyotis Bai Hua She She Cao, Sophora Ku Shen, Black Nightshade (Long Kui), Rhubarb (Da Huang), Frankincense (Ru Xiang), Astragalus Huang Qi (as in Jin Pu Jiao Nong)
vii. of the Digestive tract, Scutellaria barbata Ban Zhi Lian with Hedyotis Bai Hua She She Cao, Akebia Ba Yue Sha
viii. of the Lungs, Scutellaria barbata Ban Zhi Lian with Dandelion (Pu Gong Ying), Dioscorea Bulbifera Huang Yao Zi, Coptis Huang Lian, Pinellia Ban Xia, Trichosanthes Gua Lou. Clinical trials showed an effective rate of 60%
ix. Liver, Breast and Lymphatic Cancers, Scutellaria barbata Ban Zhi Lian with Hedyotis Bai Hua She She Cao. Semiaquilegia Tian Kui Zi, Paris root (Chong Lu)
3. Edema, Scutellaria barbata Ban Zhi Lian with Water Plantain root (Ze Xie), Corn Silk (Yu Mi Xu)
4. Common Cold and Flu from Wind-Heat and Toxin, Fever, acute Sore Throat or Tonsillitis and Cough with yellow Phlegm, Scutellaria barbata Ban Zhi Lian with Dandelion (Pu Gong Ying), Polygonum cuspidatum Hu Zhang, Sow Thistle (Sonchus arvensis) (Re Yan Ning Keli)
5. Snake Bite, Scutellaria barbata Ban Zhi Lian with Hedyotis Bai Hua She She Cao. Paris root (Chong Lu)

Cautions:
Use with caution during pregnancy

Main Preparations used: