INDIVIDUAL HERBS

Pharmaceutical Latin: Herba Lobeliae Chinensis
Common English: Chinese Lobelia
Herbs that Drain Dampness (Diuretics):
Taste Temperature Entering Meridians Dosage
Sweet
Bland
(Acrid)
(Bitter)

Slightly Cold
(Neutral)
(Slightly Warm)

Heart
Lung
Small Intestine
(Liver )
(Kidney)
3-15g
Dried: 15-36g
Fresh: 90g
Snakebite, Dried: 30-60g
Snakebite, Fresh: 90-120g
Tincture: 2-4ml
Actions Indications/Syndromes

Promotes urination and reduces edema

Edema, especially floating edema

Ascites

End-stage schistosomiasis

Clears Heat, cools the Blood and reduces toxicity (internally and topically)

Snakebites and wasp and bee stings (internally and topically) This is the herb of choice

Blood Heat

Toxic Fire such as tonsillitis
CONTRAINDICATIONS
  • This herb can cause loose stools and anorexia when decocted.
  • Contraindicated for those with edema due to Deficiency.
  • Contraindicated for those with Blood Deficiency.
  • Contraindicated during pregnancy.
INCOMPATIBILITIES
HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS
  • Concurrent use with diuretics such as chlorothiazide, hydrochlorothiazide, furmoside (Lasix), bumetinide (Bumex) and torsemide (Demadex) may lead to increased elimination of water and/or electrolytes.

Rz. Alismatis
Ze Xie
Scl, Polypori
Zhu Ling

Sm. Trigonellae
Hu Lu Ba

 

Hb. Verbena
Ma Bian Cao

Floating edema

Edema or ascites

Strongly facilitates the removal of pathogenic water to treat edema associated with end-stage schistosomiasis

Rx. Scutellariae
Huang Qin
Rz. Coptidis
Huang Lian
Flos Chrysanthemi Indicae
Ye Ju Hua
Flos Lonicerae
Jin Yin Hua

Rz. Alismatis
Ze Xie
Scl, Polypori
Zhu Ling

Poria
Fu Ling

Poisonous snakebites or insect bites

Edema

 

  1. One source lists this as a Heat Clearing Herb.
  2. Some sources say that this herb calms dyspnea.
  3. This herb can be used alone both Internally and topically for insect or snake bites.
  4. It has been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
  5. This herb is said to treat tumor, hepatitis, appendicitis, ascites due to cirrhosis and pulmonary abscess.
  6. It has shown to be effective in treating esophageal, gastric and uterine cancers.
  7. Both Ban Bian Lian and Hb. Hedyotis Diffusae Bai Hua She She Cao facilitate the removal of pathogenic water, reduce edema, clear Heat and resolve toxicity. Ban Bian Lian is a stronger diuretic while Bai Hua She She Cao is stronger at cooling and removing Damp-Heat and is preferred in the treatment of painful urinary dysfunction.