Description
· The Cold nature allows it to clear Heat, particularly from the blood.
· The Bitter flavour helps to purge and dry, contributing to its heat-clearing and dampness-drying effects.
· The Astringent flavour is crucial, as it enables the herb to constrain and hold in (e.g., to stop bleeding by astringing) and to reduce excessive discharge.
· Biota Leaves / Platycladi Cacumen’s main actions are related to treating disorders involving the Blood, which is governed by the Liver and Spleen, and the respiratory system governed by the Lungs.
Health Benefits
Cools the Blood, Stops Bleeding, Resolves Phlegm, Relieves Cough, Promotes Hair Growth, Treats Alopecia, Clears Heat and Toxins.
Cools the Blood and Stops Bleeding
· This is its primary and most celebrated function. It is especially effective for bleeding patterns caused by Heat in the Blood, which forces blood to move recklessly out of its vessels.
· It can be used for bleeding anywhere in the body, including:
· Hemoptysis (coughing up blood) – from Lungs Heat
· Epistaxis (nosebleeds) – from Lungs or Stomach Heat
· Hematemesis (vomiting blood) – from Stomach Heat
· Hematuria (blood in urine) – from Bladder Heat
· Metrorrhagia (excessive uterine bleeding) – from Blood Heat
· It can be used raw for stronger cooling effect or carbonized for a stronger astringent, bleeding-stopping effect.
Resolves Phlegm and Relieves Cough
· Its bitter and cold nature helps to clear Lungs Heat and resolve yellow, sticky phlegm. It is used for coughs and wheezing due to heat in the lungs.
Promotes Hair Growth and Treats Alopecia
· A very famous traditional use. Biota Leaves / Platycladi Cacumen is applied externally (in tinctures, washes, or oils) to the scalp to treat hair loss, premature greying, and seborrheic dermatitis. It is believed to work by cooling blood heat in the scalp that affects the hair follicles. This use is also supported by modern studies showing it may improve local circulation.
Clears Heat and Toxins
· Its cold nature allows it to clear general heat and toxic heat. Externally, it can be used for burns and sores.
Common Applications in TCM
· Various types of bleeding : Especially when accompanied by signs of heat (bright red blood, thirst, irritability, rapid pulse).
· Cough and asthma : With thick, yellow phlegm due to lung heat.
· Hair loss (alopecia areata, androgenetic alopecia) and premature greying : Primarily used in topical preparations.
Precautions
· An acute condition : Such as common cold or flu with fever and chills.
· Yang Deficiency with Cold : Symptoms include cold limbs, aversion to cold, pale complexion, loose stools, and a clear, copious urine.
· Pregnancy and young children : Not recommended to use. All herbs are not for infants.
· Its cold and bitter nature can damage the Spleen and Stomach if used long-term or in cases of existing Spleen Qi Deficiency with symptoms like poor appetite, loose stools, and fatigue.
· Medical Conditions : If you have hypertension, auto-immune diseases, diabetes, allergy or are on medication, consultation with a doctor is essential.
** Disclaimer: Not a substitute for medicine. Individual results may vary. Always consult a qualified TCM practitioner or healthcare professional before consume any herbal medicine, especially when you have underlying health conditions.
Common Usage and Preparation
1. Tea / Decoction : Steep in hot water for 5-10 minutes. Can be re-steeped several times. or Simmer on the stove for a richer flavour.
2. Powder or Capsules : Ground into a powder and taken with warm water or encapsulated. For convenient daily supplementation in smaller, maintained doses.
