Woad root (BAN LAN GEN)-Isatis indigotica-Radix Isatidis

Woad root (BAN LAN GEN)

Isatis indigotica Fort. (Fam. Brassicaciae)

Pharmaceutical Name:

Radix Isatidis

Botanical Name:

Isatis indigotica Fort. (Fam. Brassicaciae)

Common Name:

indigo, woad root, isatis

Part Used:

Dried root

Radix Isatidis is produced mainly in the provinces of Jiangsu, Hebei, Henan, Shananxi, and Anhui. It is collected in autumn and dried in sunlight for use.

Properties  Taste & Meridians:

Bitter in flavor, cold in property, acts on the Heart and Stomach channels.

Functions:

Clears Heat and removes toxins, reduces Blood Heat, and soothes sore throat.

Indications & Combinations:

1. For fever and headache due to Wind Heat, it is used with Flos Lonicerae (Jin Yin Hua), Fructus Forsythiae Suspensae (Lian Qiao), and Herba Schizonepetae Tenuifolia (Jing Jie).

2. For swelling of the head caused by infection, it is used with Fructus Forsythiae Suspensae (Lian Qiao), Fructus Arctii (Niu Bang Zi), and Radix Scrophulariae (Xuan Shen), in “The Universal Relief Decoction for Detoxification” (Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin).

Dosage and administration:

10–15 g, decocted in water, or used in pill or powder form for internal use.

Precautions:

None noted.

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