Whole herbsHeat-clearingHedyotidis Herba
Bai Hua She She Cao (Spreading Hedyotis Herb)
白花蛇舌草 · Bai Hua She She Cao
Heat-clearing herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Traditional functions: Clears heat, resolves toxin, and promotes urination to drain dampness.
Quick Facts
| Latin Name | Hedyotidis Herba |
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| Chinese Name & Pinyin | 白花蛇舌草 · Bai Hua She She Cao |
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| Medicinal Part | Whole herbs |
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| Efficacy Category | Heat-clearing |
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| Botanical Origin | The dried whole her of Oldenlandia diffusa (Whild.) Roxb. (Rubiaceae). |
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| Nature & Flavour | Sweet, Bland; Cold |
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| Channels Entered | Stomach, Large Intestine, Small Intestine |
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What Is Bai Hua She She Cao?
Bai Hua She She Cao (Spreading Hedyotis Herb) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Primarily produced in the Chinese area south of the Yangtze River.
Nature & Flavour: Sweet, Bland; Cold
Channels Entered: Stomach, Large Intestine, Small Intestine
Bai Hua She She Cao: Materia Medica Profile
Identification & Quality Standard
Hedyotidis Herba
Botanical Origin
The dried whole her of Oldenlandia diffusa (Whild.) Roxb. (Rubiaceae).
Production Regions
Primarily produced in the Chinese area south of the Yangtze River.
Quality Requirements
Superior grades have intact stems and leaves, a grayish-green color and full fruits.
Macroscopic Features
The whole herb is tangled into clumps. Externally grayish-green or grayish-brown. Tap root is thin and long, about 2mm thick; rootlets are thin and fibrous, pale grayish-brown. Stems are thin, curly, brittle-texture and easily broken; center has white pith. Leaves are shrunken, broken and easily fallen; stipules are 1~2mm long. Flowers and fruit are singular or grow in pairs on angles of the stem; flowers have short and slightly thick flower stem. Capsule is a flat spherical shape, 2~2.5mm diameter; divided ventricles; calyx persistent with 4 cleavages, with short stinging hairs on the edge. faint odor; taste bland.
Traditional TCM Properties
Sweet, Bland; ColdStomachLarge IntestineSmall Intestine
Traditional Functions
Clears heat, resolves toxin, and promotes urination to drain dampness. Apply to sores, abscesses, sore throat, and damp-heat lin or jaundice.
How Bai Hua She She Cao Is Used in TCM
In the Chinese materia medica, Bai Hua She She Cao is classified among the Heat-clearing herbs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bai Hua She She Cao? Are barbat skullcap and lobelia the same?
Official Bai Hua She She Cao (白花蛇舌草) is the dried whole herb of Hedyotis diffusa. The pharmacopoeial name is Hedyotis Diffusae Herba. Barbat skullcap is acrid-bitter and cold: clears heat, resolves toxin, transforms stasis and promotes urination. Lobelia is acrid-bitter and neutral: clears heat, resolves toxin, promotes urination and reduces swelling. The three cannot be interchanged by equal weight. Write Bai Hua She She Cao. Use caution in Spleen-Stomach vacuity cold and pregnancy.
What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Bai Hua She She Cao?
According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Bai Hua She She Cao is sweet, bland and cool, enters the Stomach, Large Intestine and Small Intestine channels, and acts to clear heat, resolve toxin, drain dampness and free lin. It is used for swollen painful throat, heat lin, abscesses, and poisonous snake bites. Sweet-bland and cool, it suits heat toxin with damp lin—not Spleen-Stomach vacuity cold, or absence of heat.
How do you choose dried versus fresh herb? Can barbat skullcap replace it?
Dried herb is stronger for clearing heat and draining dampness. Fresh herb is doubled in dose. Barbat skullcap leans to transforming stasis and promoting urination; it cannot replace draining dampness and freeing lin by equal weight. Commercial hedyotis tea is not equal-weight pieces.
Learn More About Bai Hua She She Cao
Explore our in-depth article covering the traditional uses, properties, functions, and TCM context of Bai Hua She She Cao.
Read the Bai Hua She She Cao Guide →
Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.
