Qing Dai
StarBaphicacanthus cusia (Nees) Bremek.
☯ TCM Properties
Clears Heat and Resolves Toxicity; Cools the Blood and Resolves Macules; Clears Liver Fire; Calms fright and stops convulsions; Clears Lung Heat
Traditional Chinese Uses
Qing Dai (natural indigo powder) is derived from several indigo-bearing plants and possesses a strongly cold, intensely Heat-clearing character. It excels at resolving Fire toxin patterns — including high fever with convulsions, swollen and painful throat, and bleeding conditions from Heat entering the Blood level. Applied topically, it treats hot, inflamed, or ulcerated skin sores. Modern clinical use in Chinese medicine also includes certain inflammatory conditions and some types of leukemia, under professional supervision.
Western Herbalism Properties
Botanical Description
Baphicacanthus cusia (syn. Strobilanthes cusia), Assam indigo or Chinese rain bell, is a perennial herb in the Acanthaceae family, growing 0.5-1 m tall with quadrangular, swollen-jointed stems that often root at the nodes. The leaves are opposite, elliptic to lanceolate, 10-25 cm long, with serrate margins and a pointed apex; they turn dark blue-black on bruising or drying due to indican oxidation. Flowers are tubular, pale violet to pink, borne in short terminal or axillary spikes subtended by leafy bracts. The fruit is a small club-shaped capsule containing four seeds. Qing Dai is the dark blue-violet pigment-rich powder prepared by fermenting and lime-treating the leaves and stems, then collecting the floating indigotin-rich froth (POWO; Wikipedia).
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | Daily | — | — | — |
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.
📝 Notes
Public notes from the community and your own private notes on Qing Dai.
No notes yet.