E Bu Shi Cao
StarCentipeda minima (L.) A. Braun et Aschers.
☯ TCM Properties
Disperses Wind-Cold; Unblocks the Nasal Passages; Resolves Phlegm and Stops Cough; Brightens the Eyes and Removes Visual Obstructions; Resolves Toxicity and Reduces Swelling
Traditional Chinese Uses
E Bu Shi Cao (centipeda herb) is a warm, pungent herb used in Chinese medicine primarily to open the nasal passages and dispel Wind-Cold. It is one of the most effective herbs for nasal congestion, rhinitis, and sinusitis from Wind-Cold obstruction, and its dispersing, aromatic quality makes it appropriate for the stuffy, blocked sensation of chronic nasal conditions. It also addresses cough from Wind-Cold and eye conditions including redness and excessive tearing from Wind-Heat.
Botanical Description
Centipeda minima is a small prostrate to ascending annual herb of the Asteraceae family, rarely exceeding 5 to 20 cm in spread. The slender, branched stems are often reddish, glabrous to sparsely pubescent, and root at the lower nodes. Leaves are alternate, sessile, narrowly obovate to spatulate, 7 to 20 mm long, with a few coarse teeth toward the apex. The minute discoid flowerheads are inconspicuous, sessile in the leaf axils, about 3 mm across, with marginal yellowish female florets surrounding a few greenish hermaphrodite disc florets. Fruits are small four-angled achenes with stiff hairs along the ribs. The plant has a pungent, sneeze-inducing odor when crushed and is widespread in damp ground, paddy margins, and disturbed soils across East and Southeast Asia.
Active Constituents
Brevilin A (6-O-angeloylplenolin)
Guaianolide sesquiterpene lactoneConcentration: One of the principal bioactive markers; content varies by source (typically reported in the low mg/g range of dried herb)
A major cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory constituent that inhibits STAT3 and JAK signaling and NF-κB activation. It is one of the compounds most associated with the herb's reported antitumor and anti-inflammatory actions.
Arnicolide D
Pseudoguaianolide sesquiterpene lactoneConcentration: Minor sesquiterpene lactone constituent
Induces apoptosis, cell-cycle arrest and autophagy in carcinoma cell lines and suppresses PI3K/Akt/mTOR and STAT3 signaling in preclinical nasopharyngeal carcinoma models.
Arnicolide C
Sesquiterpene lactoneConcentration: Minor constituent
Reduces cancer cell viability in a concentration- and time-dependent manner in vitro; contributes to the anti-proliferative activity of the whole-herb extract.
Thymol and thymol derivatives (e.g., 8,10-dihydroxy-9-isobutyryloxythymol)
Monoterpene phenol / volatile oil componentsConcentration: Present in the essential oil, which contains ~80+ volatile components
Antimicrobial and mucolytic constituents of the volatile oil that underlie the herb's traditional use for unblocking the nasal passages and resolving phlegm.
Trans-chrysanthenyl acetate
Monoterpene ester (volatile oil)Concentration: Major volatile oil component
A dominant component of the essential oil contributing to the aromatic, decongestant character of the herb.
Apigenin and quercetin (and glycosides)
FlavonoidsConcentration: Minor constituents
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory flavonoids that contribute to the herb's antioxidant capacity.
Taraxasterol and related triterpenoids
TriterpenoidsConcentration: Minor constituents
Anti-inflammatory triterpenoids reported among the non-volatile fraction of the herb.
2β-(Isobutyryloxy)florilenalin
Sesquiterpene lactoneConcentration: Minor constituent
Induces dose- and time-dependent apoptosis in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (CNE) cells in vitro.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 3-9g | Daily | — | — | — |
Preparation Methods
Decoction (internal)
Parts: whole herb
Typically 6–10 g of the dried whole herb is decocted in water for internal use to disperse Wind-Cold and unblock the nose. Because the active volatile oils are heat-labile, prolonged boiling is avoided.
Nasal/topical application (powder or fresh juice)
Parts: whole herb
The powdered dried herb is used as an errhine (snuff) to open the nasal passages, or the fresh herb is crushed and applied topically to reduce swelling and toxic sores. Snuffing can provoke sneezing and local irritation.
Clinical Studies
Arnicolide D, from the herb Centipeda minima, Is a Therapeutic Candidate against Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Arnicolide D inhibited nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell proliferation, induced apoptosis and G2/M cell-cycle arrest, and suppressed tumor growth in a xenograft model, supporting the sesquiterpene lactone fraction as the anticancer principle of the herb.
Centipeda minima extract inhibits PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling in nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE-1 cells
A total Centipeda minima extract dose-dependently inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in CNE-1 nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells through suppression of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.
Historical Texts
Shizhen Bencao (materia medica tradition; recorded under 'shi hu sui')
Ming dynasty (recorded 16th century)Sishengxinyuan / later Qing materia medica
Qing dynastyReferences
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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