Dictamnus, White Dittany, Bai Xian Pi 白鲜皮 Polemonium of the ancients; Fraxinella Bai Xian Pi (Root-bark of the Chinese Dittany)

Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578

Flora von Deutschland (21), Kohler, 1885

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Botanical name:

Dictamnus alba (syn. D. fraxinella, Fraxinella dictamnus)
D. dasycarpus and D. angustifolius are the Chinese Dittany

Parts used:

Root; Chinese use the Root-bark

Temperature & Taste:

Cold (Warm in West), dry. Bitter
opens

Classifications:

2F. PURIFYING    2M. DRAWING
3A. SUDORIFICS & DIAPHORETICS    3C. ALEXIPHARMICS    3D. CORDIALS & CARDIACS    3G. EMMENAGOGUE
4c. CARDIAC
Preparers and Purgers of Melancholy
Clear the Exterior
Clear Heat

Uses:

1. Clears Wind-Heat, Resists Poison (West, TCM);
-Infectious and Epidemic diseases
-Venomous Bites and Poisons
–diseases of various kinds due to Wind-Heat (Zhen Quan)

2. Clears Heat from the Blood (TCM, West):
-Eczema, Dermatosis, Urticaria, Scabies, Pustules, Boils etc.
-skin inflammations with Yellow Watery discharge (Chinese Pharmacopoeia)

3. Clears Heat and Damp (TCM, West):
-Jaundice; Hepatitis (TCM, West)
-obstruction of Urine, water retention
-distilled water was used for Stones (Lonicerus)
-acute Rheumatic Arthralgia (Chinese Pharmacopoeia); used for joint diseases in East and West
-‘difficulty in moving the extremities’ (Ming Yi Bie Lu)
-“Dittany expels the viscous fluids from the Chest and Lungs” (Avicenna)

4. Clears Wind and Heat, Calms the Heart:
-Cordial
-Melancholy, Epilepsy, Neurasthenia, Nervousness, Hysteria
-Cheers the Spirits; ‘revives a languishing nature’

5. Moves the Blood, Promotes Menstruation (West):
-benefits the Womb
-clears obstructions, promotes Menstruation; Amenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea
-‘it acts as an emmenagogue, and is an expellent of the foetus when dead or lying transversely in the uterus.’ (Pliny)
–“Its oral use helps in clearing post-parturition Blood” (Avicenna)

6. Kills Worms

7. Externally:
-boiled in oil for Bruises, Aches, Sprains, Joint-pain etc.
-externally for inflammatory skin conditions, boils, rashes, carbuncles etc.
-powder with Honey was applied to Ulcers or Fistulas, including those in the corner of the Eyes
-powder with Honey was applied to Ulcers, Abscesses and Cancers of the Nose (Wirtzung)
-Extracts darts and thorns from the skin
-the Chinese Dittany is used topically for vaginal discharge with Itching.

Dose:

… available in PRO version

Substitute:

… available in PRO version

Comment:

… available in PRO version

Main Combinations:

1. Phthisis and Consumption, Dittany, … available in PRO version
2. Epilepsy, Dittany with … available in PRO version
3. Strengthen the Heart, benefit the Memory, … available in PRO version
4. Stomach pain, Dittany and … available in PRO version
5. To promote Menstruation, or for Mola:
i. Dittany, … available in PRO version
ii. Dittany, … available in PRO version
iii. Dittany, … available in PRO version
iv. as a pessary, Diittany, … available in PRO version
6. Dysmenorrhea, Uterine growths, Dittany with … available in PRO version
7. Hysteria:
i. Dittany with … available in PRO version
ii. Dittany, … available in PRO version
8. Metrorrhagia, Dittany with … available in PRO version
9. Red, Itchy skin lesions:
i. … available in PRO version
ii. … available in PRO version
iii. … available in PRO version
10. Psoriasis:
i. Sophora Ku Shen with … available in PRO version
ii. Externally for Psoriasis, … available in PRO version
11. Edema from Cold, Dittany … available in PRO version
12. Stoppage of Urine, Stones: … available in PRO version
13. Worms:
i. Dittany (1 dram), … available in PRO version
ii. Dittany with … available in PRO version

Major Formulas:

Syrup of Balm (Fernelius)
Troches of Myrrh (Rhasis)
Orvietan Antidote
Electuary of Eggs (Maximilian)

Cautions:

1. The related Chinese species has been found to induce severe allergic reaction in susceptible people.
2. Mutagenic and Phototoxic effects have been reported (Duke)

Main Preparations used:

Distilled Water