Quick Facts
| Latin Name | Scutellariae Barbatae Herba |
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| Chinese Name & Pinyin | 半枝蓮 · Ban Zhi Lian |
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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 plant of Scutellaria barbata D. Don (Lamiaceae). |
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| Nature & Flavour | Acrid, Bitter; Cold |
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| Channels Entered | Lung, Liver, Kidney |
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What Is Ban Zhi Lian?
Ban Zhi Lian (Barbed Skullcap Herb) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangxi and Henan.
Nature & Flavour: Acrid, Bitter; Cold
Channels Entered: Lung, Liver, Kidney
Ban Zhi Lian: Materia Medica Profile
Identification & Quality Standard
Scutellariae Barbatae Herba
Botanical Origin
The dried whole plant of Scutellaria barbata D. Don (Lamiaceae).
Production Regions
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangxi and Henan.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material is tender, green, with intact flowers, and free of muddy roots.
Macroscopic Features
Stems square, purplish; leaves opposite, lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate; flowers labiate, pale bluish-purple; weak odor, slightly bitter.
Traditional TCM Properties
Acrid, Bitter; ColdLungLiverKidney
Traditional Functions
Clears heat, resolves toxin, dissipates stasis, and promotes urination. Apply to sores, abscesses, snakebite, traumatic swelling, and lin syndrome.
How Ban Zhi Lian Is Used in TCM
In the Chinese materia medica, Ban Zhi Lian is classified among the Heat-clearing herbs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ban Zhi Lian? Are lobelia and hedyotis the same?
Official Ban Zhi Lian (半枝莲) is the dried whole herb of Scutellaria barbata. The pharmacopoeial name is Scutellariae Barbatae Herba. Lobelia is acrid-bitter and neutral: clears heat, resolves toxin, promotes urination and reduces swelling. Hedyotis is sweet, slightly bitter and cold: clears heat, resolves toxin, drains dampness and frees lin. The three cannot be interchanged by equal weight. Write Ban Zhi Lian. Use caution in body vacuity and pregnancy.
What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Ban Zhi Lian?
According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Ban Zhi Lian is acrid, bitter and cold, enters the Lung, Liver and Kidney channels, and acts to clear heat, resolve toxin, transform stasis and promote urination. It is used for boils and swollen toxin, swollen painful throat, pain from falls, edema, jaundice, and snake or insect bites. Acrid-bitter and cold, it suits heat toxin with stasis and swelling—not body vacuity, or Spleen-Stomach vacuity cold.
How do you choose dried versus fresh herb? Can lobelia replace it?
Dried herb is stronger for clearing heat and transforming stasis. Fresh herb is doubled in dose. Lobelia leans to promoting urination and reducing swelling; it cannot replace transforming stasis by equal weight. Commercial barbat-skullcap tea is not equal-weight pieces.
Learn More About Ban Zhi Lian
Explore our in-depth article covering the traditional uses, properties, functions, and TCM context of Ban Zhi Lian.
Read the Ban Zhi Lian 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.
