Quick Facts
| Latin Name | Rabdosiae Rubescentis Herba |
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| Chinese Name & Pinyin | 冬凌草 · Dong Ling 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 aerial part of Isodon rubescens (Hemsl.) Hara (Lamiaceae). |
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| Nature & Flavour | Bitter, Sweet; Slightly cold |
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| Channels Entered | Lung, Stomach, Liver |
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What Is Dong Ling Cao?
Dong Ling Cao (Rabdosia Herb / Donglingcao) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Henan, Hebei, Shanxi and Anhui.
Nature & Flavour: Bitter, Sweet; Slightly cold
Channels Entered: Lung, Stomach, Liver
Dong Ling Cao: Materia Medica Profile
Identification & Quality Standard
Rabdosiae Rubescentis Herba
Botanical Origin
The dried aerial part of Isodon rubescens (Hemsl.) Hara (Lamiaceae).
Production Regions
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Henan, Hebei, Shanxi and Anhui.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material is green-leaved, tender, and intensely bitter, without yellowed old stems.
Macroscopic Features
Stems square, branched, externally grayish-brown to purplish-brown; leaves opposite, ovate with serrate margins, often crumpled; weak aromatic odor, bitter taste.
Traditional TCM Properties
Bitter, Sweet; Slightly coldLungStomachLiver
Traditional Functions
Clears heat, resolves toxin, and dissipates nodules to reduce swelling. Apply to swollen sore throat, lumps, and heat-toxin sores.
How Dong Ling Cao Is Used in TCM
In the Chinese materia medica, Dong Ling Cao is classified among the Heat-clearing herbs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dong Ling Cao? Are barbat skullcap and hedyotis the same?
Official Dong Ling Cao (冬凌草) is the dried aerial part of Rabdosia rubescens. The pharmacopoeial name is Rabdosiae Rubescentis Herba. It is mainly produced in Henan. Barbat skullcap is acrid-bitter and cold: clears heat, resolves toxin, disperses stasis and stops bleeding. 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 Dong Ling Cao. Use caution in Spleen-Stomach vacuity cold and pregnancy.
What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Dong Ling Cao?
According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Dong Ling Cao is bitter, sweet and slightly cold, enters the Lung, Stomach and Liver channels, and acts to clear heat, resolve toxin, move Blood and stop pain. It is used for swollen painful throat, abdominal masses and lumps, and snake or insect bites. Bitter-sweet and slightly cold, it suits heat-toxin throat pain—not Spleen-Stomach vacuity cold, or wind-cold throat pain.
How do you choose raw versus prepared herb? Can barbat skullcap replace it?
Raw herb is stronger for clearing heat and resolving toxin. Barbat skullcap leans to dispersing stasis and stopping bleeding; it cannot replace moving Blood and stopping pain by equal weight. Commercial Rabdosia tea is not equal-weight pieces.
Learn More About Dong Ling Cao
Explore our in-depth article covering the traditional uses, properties, functions, and TCM context of Dong Ling Cao.
Read the Dong Ling 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.
