Dyers woad leaf (ER CHA)
Isatis indigotica Fort. (Fam. Brassicaciae)
Pharmaceutical Name:
Folium Isatidis
Botanical Name:
Isatis indigotica Fort. (Fam. Brassicaciae)
Common Name:
Dyers woad leaf, indigo leaf
Part Used:
Dried leaf
Folium Isatidis is produced chiefly in southern, southeastern, and southwestern China. Collected in summer, it is used fresh or unprepared after being dried in sunlight
Properties Taste & Meridians:
Bitter in flavor, very cold in property, acts on the Heart, Lung, and Stomach channels.
Functions:
Removes Pathogenic Heat, reduces Blood Heat, soothes rash.
Indications & Combinations:
1. For febrile diseases with invasion of Blood by Heat, manifested as maculae and eruptions, delirium, high fever, and restlessness, it is used with Fructus Gardeniae (Zhi Zi). For invasion of Wind Heat or febrile diseases at the initial stage, with symptoms of headache, thirst, and fever, it is used with Flos Lonicerae ( Jin Yin Hua), Herba Schizonepetae Tenuifolia ( Jing Jie), and Fructus Arctii (Niu Bang Zi).
2. For erysipelas, sores, and swellings in the mouth and throat, fresh Folium Isatidis can be used alone, orally or externally.
Dosage and administration:
10–15 g, decocted in water for an oral dose. Appropriate quantity for external use.
Precautions:
It should not be used for patients with Cold syndromes due to Deficiency in the Spleen and Stomach.
