Releases the exterior and disperses Wind-Heat — used for Wind-Heat exterior patterns with fever, headache, and absence of sweating
Vents rashes and relieves itching — used for measles (before rash has fully expressed), urticaria, and wind-heat skin eruptions
Secondary Actions
Promotes urination and reduces edema — used for superficial edema and oliguria from water retention with exterior heat
Dispels Wind and relieves itching — used topically for pruritus and eczema from wind-heat in the skin
Modern Research
Active Compounds
Luteolin and apigenin — primary flavones; potent anti-inflammatory via NF-κB inhibition; luteolin and apigenin show strong binding affinity for TNF and IL-6 targets
Orientin and vitexin — flavone C-glycosides; antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
β-Carotene and lutein — carotenoids; antioxidant
β-Sitosterol — phytosterol with anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-lowering properties
Potassium acetate and potassium chloride — mineral salts contributing to diuretic effect
Choline and betaine — nitrogen-containing compounds with membrane and metabolic roles
Studied Effects
Anti-inflammatory (in vitro) — ethanolic extract inhibits LPS-induced NO, PGE2, IL-6, and TNF-α production in RAW264.7 macrophages; suppresses iNOS and COX-2 via NF-κB p65 attenuation; flavonoid content 0.25–8.77 mg/g (PMID 22303922)
Anti-inflammatory contact dermatitis (in vivo) — extract ameliorates DNFB-induced skin lesions and histopathological abnormalities in mice; inhibits inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6, validating traditional use for skin heat conditions (PMID 37686078)