Aidus & E-Fong Herbal Solution
Herbal Medicine for Clearing Heat and Cooling Blood- Mu Dan Pi
                  
                            
                              Mu Dan Pi
                     
                         Moutan (Peony) Bark
                         Cortex Moutan Radicis

This herb is the root bark of the perennial deciduous shrub, Peonia suffruticosa Andr. (Family Ranunculaceae) , produced
mainly in Anhui and Shangdong Provinces. The cultivated plant is mainly harvested in autumn. The outer bark is dried in
sunlight after getting rid of fibrous rootlets, and the xylem when they are fresh, and it is used raw or stir-baked.
Properties: Pungent and bitter flavour, cold nature, it acts on the heart and liver channels. The herb is mainly acting on the
heart and liver channels, and particularly circulated in the blood. The bitter and the cold properties can remove heat from the
blood, and the pungent and cold can promote the blood circulation.
The characteristics of its functions are cooling blood and stopping bleeding without stasis, and promoting blood circulation and
removing blood stasis without inducing bleeding. It is often used to treat the syndromes of excessive and stagnant heat in the
blood.
Effects: Removing heat from the blood, promoting blood circulation and relieving blood stasis.
Indications:
1. For epidemic febrile diseases with pathogenic heat in the ying and blood
divisions, caused by heat invasion of blood manifested as maculus and eruption, hematemesis and epitaxis. It is often used in
combination with clearing heat herbs, such as Xi Jiao (rhinoceros horn) and Di Huang (rehmannia root), known as Xijiao
Dihuang Tang (Decoction of Rhinoceros Horn and Rehmannia).
2. For the syndromes of heat due to Yin-deficiency, lingering of heat in the later stage of febrile diseases and interior heat due
to Yin deficiency, it can be used in combination with nourishing yin and clearing heat herbs, such as Qing Hao (Artemisia
annua,herb), Bie Jiao (turtle shell) and Di Huang (rehmannia root), known as Zhi Bai Dihuang Wan (Pill of Anemarrhena,
Phellodendron and Rehmannia), Qinghao Biejia Tang (Decoction of Sweet Wormwood and Turtle Shell).
3. For amenorrhea and menorrhalgia due to blood stasis, ecchymoma caused by trauma, it is often used in combination with
herbs for promoting blood circulation and relieving stasis, such as Tao Ren (peach kernel), Gui Zhi (cinnamon twigs) and
Dang Gui (Chinese angelica root). In cases of superficial suppurative infections, periappendicular abscess, it is used in
combination with the drugs for clearing heat, detoxicating, subduing swellings and draining pus, such as Jin Yin Hua
(honeysuckle flower), Lian Qiao (forsythia fruit), Tao Ren (peach kernel), etc.
In addition, for secondary fire from stagnation of liver qi, this herb may also be used to purge the liver-fire.
Dosage and Administration: 5~10g. Use raw herb for removing heat from the blood, and stir-baked for bleeding due to
blood-heat.
Precautions: This herb should be used with caution in pregnant women.
Modern Researches: The decoction of this herb inhibits in vitro the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella dysenteriae,
Salmonella paratyphi, as well as pathogenic dermatophytes. Besides, it possesses antipyretic, sedative, analgesic,
anti-convulsive, and lowered blood pressure effects. Its component paeonol has an anti-inflammatory effect.  (Aidus & E-fong
herbal Solution)

                                                                金银花《别录》

为忍冬科多年生半常绿缠绕性木质藤本植物忍冬 Lonicera japnica Thunb. 的花蕾。中国南北各地均有分布。夏初当
花含苞未放时采摘 , 阴干。生用 , 炒炭或制成露剂使用。本品又名银花、双花、银花炭、忍冬花。

【药性说明】味甘 , 性寒。归肺、心、胃经。本品甘寒清解热毒 ,芳香透热外散 , 善清心胃之热而解毒 , 又能疏散肺
经风热而解表。凡热毒疮痈,气分实热、温热人营及外感风热等证 , 均为常用之品。

【药物功效】清热解毒 , 疏散风热。

【临床应用】

1. 用治热毒疮疡、乳痈、疔毒等痈痛诸证 , 常配连翘、公英、野菊花等清热解毒药 ; 治肠痈腹痛 , 可配大黄、丹皮、
桃仁等药 , 以清肠解毒 , 消痛排脓。

2. 治外感风热或温病初起邪在卫分,可配连翘、薄荷等疏散风热药 , 如银翘散 ; 适当配伍清热泻火药或清热凉血药 ,
还可用治温热病邪人气分或血分。

此外 , 用治暑热烦渴 , 有清热解暑之功。

【用量用法】 10~15 克。

【现代研究】金银花体外试验对金黄色葡萄球菌、溶血性链球菌、病疾杆菌等多种致病菌有抑制作用。对结核杆菌也
有抑制作用。并有抗流感病毒及抑制铁锈色小芽胞癣菌等皮肤真菌的作用。