Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC. / HERBA EMILIAE SONCHIFOLIAE
Aliases：Yáng Tí Cǎo (Sheep's Hoof Grass); Yè Xià Hóng (Red Under Leaf); Hóng Bèi Yè (Red-backed Leaf); Hóng Bèi Zǐ Dīng (Red-backed Violet); Yě Jiè Lán (Wild Mustard Orchid); Zǐ Bèi Cǎo (Purple-backed Grass); Tǔ Pú Gōng Yīng (Wild Dandelion); Qiān Rì Hóng (Thousand Day Red); Jiǎ Jiè Lán (False Mustard Orchid); Hóng Bèi Guǒ (Red-backed Fruit); Shí Qīng Hóng (Stone Green Red).
Yidianhong (Emilia Herb) is a Chinese medicinal herb. It is the dried whole plant of Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC., a plant of the Asteraceae family. Because the underside of its leaves is often purplish-red, it is also known as “Red-backed Leaf” (Hóng Bèi Yè).
Efficacy & Actions
Clears heat and detoxifies, disperses stasis and reduces swelling, and relieves inflammation and promotes diuresis.
Indications
Used for upper respiratory tract infections, sore throat, oral ulcers, pneumonia, acute enteritis, bacillary dysentery, urinary tract infections, orchitis, mastitis, boils and carbuncles, skin eczema, traumatic injuries, and snakebites. It is also used for wind-heat colds, lung-heat cough and wheezing, damp-heat diarrhea, strangury with burning pain, and red and swollen eyes, among other conditions.
Modern Pharmacology
Antibacterial Effects: Extracts of Yidianhong (Emilia Herb) exhibit strong inhibitory and bactericidal effects against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis. The total alkaloids show certain inhibitory effects against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus subtilis. Anti-inflammatory Effects: Yidianhong extracts significantly inhibit capillary permeability in the peritoneal cavity of mice, demonstrating good anti-inflammatory activity. Antioxidant Effects: Yidianhong extracts exhibit antioxidant activity. Immunomodulatory and Hepatoprotective Effects: Yidianhong extracts enhance cellular immunity and have liver-protective effects by reducing enzyme levels. Analgesic and Sedative Effects: Yidianhong also exhibits analgesic and sedative effects. Hypoglycemic Effects: Studies suggest that Yidianhong has blood sugar-lowering effects. Antitumor Effects: The main chemical components of Emilia plants include alkaloids, flavonoids, volatile oils, and other compounds, which exhibit antitumor activity.
Ingredients
Alkaloids: Senkirkine (a pyrrolizidine alkaloid), doronine, etc. Flavonoids: Hyperoside, trifolin, quercitrin, rutin, quercetin, etc. Terpenoids and Sterols: Ursolic acid, simiarenol, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, etc. Phenols, Volatile Oils. Other Compounds: 1-Hexacosanol, triacontane, melissic acid, palmitic acid, etc.
Usage & Dosage
Oral Administration: Decoction, standard dosage 9–18g (15–30g if fresh); or juice extracted for holding in the mouth and swallowing slowly. Topical Application: Appropriate amount, fresh herb mashed and applied to the affected area, or decocted in water for external washing. Usage Notes: Generally taken as a decoction; fresh material may be juiced for oral use or applied externally.
Contraindications
Use with caution (or contraindicated) during pregnancy: As Yidianhong is cool in nature and promotes blood circulation, its use during pregnancy may cause uterine contractions and increase the risk of miscarriage or premature birth. Use with caution in patients with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold: As the herb is cool in nature, it may aggravate symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea in such individuals. Use with caution in patients with cold constitution: It may worsen discomfort associated with coldness. Contraindicated for individuals allergic to this herb.
Selected Formulas
For tonsillitis (Jiangxi Herbal Medicine Manual) Take 9g of Yangticao (Emilia sonchifolia, also known as Yidianhong), decoct with 3 bowls of water until 1 bowl remains. Take in 2 divided doses, frequently holding in the throat and swallowing slowly. For chronic gastroenteritis (Jiangxi Herbal Medicine Manual) Take 60g of Yangticao and 6g of Guipi (cinnamon bark), decoct in water. Take 1 dose daily. For wind-heat corneal opacity (Guangxi Folk Common Chinese Herbal Medicine Manual) Take 120g of Yangticao and 0.3g of Meipian (borneol), crush together and apply around the eye sockets. For vaginitis and vulvar eczema (Anhui Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 30–50g of fresh Yangticao with a little salt, decoct in water and use the liquid for fumigation and washing. For edema (Fujian Folk Herbal Medicine) Take 60g each of the whole plant of Yangticao and Dengxincao (rush pith), decoct in water, take before meals, twice daily. For mastitis and boils (Zhejiang Folk Common Herbal Medicine) Take an appropriate amount of fresh whole Yangticao, add a little salt, crush and apply to the affected area, change once daily. At the same time, take 30g of fresh whole herb (or 15g dried) decocted in water and drink.
Daily Consumption
Decoction for Oral Use: Take 9–18g of Yidianhong (Emilia Herb), wash, add water and decoct, then drink the liquid. It may be used as an adjunctive treatment for sore throat, enteritis with diarrhea, and other conditions. Juice for Oral Administration: Take an appropriate amount of fresh Yidianhong, mash and extract the juice, hold it in the mouth and swallow slowly. Suitable for sore throat and tonsillitis. As a Wild Vegetable: The tender leaves of Yidianhong can be eaten as a wild vegetable. They can be stir-fried, blanched and served cold in a salad, or used in soups. The taste is refreshing and light.
Medicinal Parts
Dried whole plant (or fresh whole plant).
Selection & Storage
Store in a well-ventilated, dry place, protected from moisture, mold, and insects.