Saururus, San Bai Cao 三白草

Chinese Lizardtail
San Bai Cao (TCM)
Picture Saururus chinensis
Regel, E.A. von, Gartenflora (1852-1938)

Picture Saururus chinensis
(Photo by Alpsdake) (Wikimedia)

Botanical name:


Saururus chinensis (syn. Saururus loureiroi)

Parts used:


Whole Herb, or Rhizome

Temperature & Taste:


Cool. Sweet

Uses:


1. Clears Heat, Resists Poison:
-Boil, Abscesses, Toxic Sores (internally and topically)
-Rashes
-Malarial Fever
-Cancer (including Breast and Prostate)
-‘dissolves hard masses’ (Tang Ben Cao)

2. Clears Heat and Damp, Promotes Urine:
-Edema, including that associated with Nephritis
-Inflammation of the urinary organs, Strangury
-Gravel and Stones
-Jaundice
-Leukorrhea

3. Clears Wind and Damp, Eases Pain:
-Rheumatoid Arthritis

4. Externally:
-as a wash to treat Tinea and Sores (Li Shi Zhen)
-Fungal skin infections (Barefoot Doctors Manual)


Dose:


1. Take the powder with wine for Edema (Li Shi Zhen)
2. The fresh juice was ordered to be taken to induce vomiting to clear Heat and Phlegm from the chest, as well as for Malaria. (Ben Cao Gang Mu)
Decoction: 15–30 grams
Powder: 2–5 grams
Fresh herb can be beaten and applied topically, or used as a wash.

Main Combinations:



Major Formulas:



Cautions:


None noted

Main Preparations used:



Research:

1. Antibacterial
2. Hepato-protective
3. Anti-hypertensive
4. Anti-cancer (against Breast and Prostate cell lines)