Chinese Name : 冬凌草
Latin Name : Herba Rabdosiae
This herb is the dried whole plant of Rabdosia rubescens (Hems) Hara of the family Labiatae. It is grown in the northern provinces of China. Rabdosia is an antipyretic. A detoxicant, a blood-circulation activating agent, and an anodyne, as well as an antitumor agent.
Use of Rabdosia in TCM
Bitter in taste and cool, it acts on the lung meridian.
Effects, Medicinal Uses, and Combinations
- Antitumorous: rabdosia in a decoction is used in China for malignant tumors, specifically esophageal, breast, liver, stomach, lung, and thyroid cancers. It can be used alone or with other anticancer herbs.
- Relieves Heat and detoxifies: for common colds, flu, fever, acute laryngitis, pharyngitis, and bronchitis, rabdosia is used alone in a decoction
- Invigorates blood circulation and relieves pain: for arthralgia, swollen joints, and pain, it is used in a decoction
In a decoction of 30 to 60 g or as a tincture
The herb is potent. Do not overdose
Side Effects and Toxicity
As reported in classical Chinese materia medica, the herb may cause nausea, stomach pain, a feeling of fullness in the stomach, and diarrhea after administering the herb to cancer patients.
Rabdosia is antimicrobial and antitumor.