Bai Hua She She Cao
Hedyotis diffusa Willd.
☯ TCM Properties
Clears Heat and Resolves Toxicity; Promotes Urination and Relieves Stranguria; Clears Damp-Heat; Disperses Swelling and Dissipates Abscesses; Invigorates Blood and Alleviates Pain
Botanical Description
Hedyotis diffusa (syn. Oldenlandia diffusa), snake-needle grass, is a slender annual herb of the family Rubiaceae native to moist grasslands, ditches, rice-paddy margins and waste ground throughout southern China, Southeast Asia, Japan and Korea. It produces a slender taproot and many prostrate to ascending, quadrangular, glabrous stems 15-50 cm long that branch repeatedly from the base. The opposite, sessile, linear to narrowly lanceolate leaves are 1-3.5 cm long and only 1-3 mm wide, with revolute margins and a single midvein, subtended by small membranous stipules. Tiny solitary or paired axillary flowers about 2 mm long have a four-toothed calyx and a four-lobed white tubular corolla, followed by small flattened-globose capsules 2-3 mm across crowned by the persistent calyx and containing numerous angular seeds. The whole flowering herb with root is harvested in summer.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | Daily | — | — | — |
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional Chinese Uses
Bai Hua She She Cao (hedyotis herb, oldenlandia) is a cold, bitter herb widely used in Chinese medicine to clear Heat toxin, reduce swelling, and promote urination. It is one of the most important herbs for inflammatory and infectious conditions, including appendicitis, snake bites, carbuncles, and sore throat. Modern Chinese medicine also uses it extensively in oncology-adjacent protocols for its anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating properties. It is commonly combined with Ban Zhi Lian for synergistic effect in Heat toxin conditions.
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.