bai lian

白敛·Radix Ampelopsis

Ampelopsis

About bai lian

Bai Lian (白蔓) is the root of ampelopsis, a vine, recorded as Radix Ampelopsis. It is bitter and acrid in flavour and neutral in temperature, entering the Heart, Liver and Stomach channels. The catalogue files it among the herbs that clear Heat and resolve toxicity.

Names

Pinyin	bai lian
Chinese	白敛·白蔹
Latin Name	Radix Ampelopsis
English Name	Ampelopsis
Japanese	byakuren
Korean	baekryeom

Classification

Category: Clear Heat Resolve Toxicity
Channels: Stomach, Heart, Liver
Flavour: Acrid, Bitter
Temperature: Neutral
Family: Vitaceae
Species: Ampelopsis Japonica
Tags: Chinese Herbs, Common

Actions and indications

Drains Fire, resolves toxicity, eliminates Damp, dissipates lumps and reduces swelling

Sores and abscesses from Fire toxicity (Chuang Yang), including the early stage before pus forms; may be used on its own
Carbuncles and swellings caused by Heat and toxins

Relieves pain, heals wounds and generates flesh

Wounds, especially ulcers that fail to heal
Burns and scalds, and red or broken skin, applied externally

Combinations

pu gong yin + jin yin hua
Heat toxin with sores and abscesses
ku shen + zhi tian nan xing + zao jiao
Heat toxin sores and abscesses, applied externally as a paste
luo shi tang + bai ji
Non-healing ulcerated sores, applied topically as a powder
xuan shen + chi shao + da huang
Scrofula, applied topically as a paste mixed with vinegar
di yu
Burns, applied topically as a powder
chi xiao dou
Sores, carbuncles and other skin lesions, mixed and applied topically, with Lian Qiao taken internally alongside

Dosage

Age	Raw	Granule	Tincture	Concentrate	Frequency
Any 3-16g; Tincture: 1-3ml	3-16 g	—	1-3 ml	—	—

Cautions

contraindication Deficiency Cold of the Spleen and Stomach, or weak Stomach Qi
contraindication Yin-type (pale, flat) ulcers and abscesses; as a cool herb it is matched to hot, red, toxic lesions