Aidus & E-Fong Herbal Solution
Herbal Medicine for Clearing Heat and Detoxication - Bai Tou Weng
     
              
                         Bai Tou Weng     
                                                                                         
                                       Portulaca Herba
                                        Portulaceae


This herb is the root of the perennial herb, Pulsatilla chinensis Reg. (Family Ranunculacea , distributed in North and Northeast
China and Inner Mongolia. It is harvested in spring before it is blooming or in late autumn. Pemoves the leaves, floral axis and
fibrous rootlets but retain the fine white hair on the roots. It is then washed, dried in sunlight and used unprepared.
Properties: Being bitter in flavour, cold in nature, it acts on the stomach and large intestine channels. The cold property of the
herb clears heat and the bitter flavour purges heat downwards. It is good at removing the stagnated noxious heat in the large
intestine and is effective in cooling blood and detoxicating, clearing  bowels and dysentery. It is therefore indicated for
dysentery due to dampness heat or dysentery with bloody stool caused 'by noxious heat.
Effects: Clearing away heat, detoxicating, removing heat from blood and treating dysentery.
Indications: For dysentery with bloody stool due to noxious heat, abdominal pain, diarrhea, diarrhea with purulent and bloody
stool, tenesmus, high fever and restlessness, this single herb can be used or in combination with Huang Lian (coptis root) and
Huang Bo (phellodendron bark) to improve the activity of clearing heat and detoxicating, known as Bai Tou Weng Tang
(Decoction of Pulsatilla).
In modern clinical practice, it is often used to treat bacillary and amoebic dysentery.
Dosage and Administration: 6~15g, quatum satis when applied externally.
Modern Researches: This herb possesses significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas
aeruginosa, Shigella dysenteriae, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhi, and other salmonellae. Its decoction and the component
saponin are significantly amoebicidal. The herb is capable of killing Trichomonas vaginalis as well. It has the effect of slightly
inhibiting the influenza virus. Besides, the herb can act as a sedative and analgesic. The aerial part of the pulsatilla possesses
cardiotonic function. (Aidus & E-fong Herbal Solution)