Swertiavacillana(Hance)Maxim.
Aliases：Sīmáo Zhāngyá Cài (literally "Simao Swertia"), Qīngyè Dǎn (literally "Green‑Leaf Gallbladder"), Qīngyú Dǎn (literally "Green‑Fish Gallbladder"), Zǒudǎn Yào (literally "Gallbladder‑Moving Medicine"), Gānyán Cǎo (literally "Hepatitis Grass"), Xiǎo Qīngyú Dǎn (literally "Small Green‑Fish Gallbladder"), Tǔdá Yào (literally "Earth Jaundice Medicine"), and Qīdá Yào (literally "Seven Jaundice Medicine"). (These are all alternative names for Qīngyèdān, i.e., Swertia vacillana.)
Qīngyèdān is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the dried whole herb of Swertia vacillana (Hance) Maxim., a plant belonging to the family Gentianaceae. It grows in sunny grassy slopes. It is recorded in Yunnan Simao Zhongcaoyao Xuan (Selected Chinese Herbal Medicines from Simao, Yunnan).
Efficacy & Actions
Clears heat and removes toxicity, soothes the liver, and strengthens the stomach; it is also recorded as clearing Liver‑Gallbladder heat and clearing heat to promote diuresis.
Indications
Wind‑heat external contraction. Pharyngitis and tonsillitis. Frequent, urgent, and painful urination. Damp‑heat jaundice and acute icteric hepatitis. Cystitis and urethritis. Influenza, common cold, and malaria.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 9–15 g. For topical application: an appropriate amount, fresh herb mashed for application, or decocted in water for washing.
Contraindications
Use with caution in patients with deficiency‑cold syndrome.
Selected Formulas
For jaundice hepatitis (empirical formula) Take Qingyedan (Swertia mileensis), Kecao gen (a local herb), Yinchen (Artemisia capillaris), and Huajinyaozi (a local herb). Decoct in water and drink. For red and swollen sore throat (empirical formula) Take Qingyedan, Kaihoujian (a local herb), Mabo (Calvatia gigantea), Shigao (Gypsum), and Huangqin (Scutellaria baicalensis). Decoct in water and drink. For syphilis (empirical formula) Take Qingyedan and Yinhua (Lonicera japonica flower). Decoct in water and drink.
Medicinal Parts
It is the dried whole herb of Swertia vacillana (Hance) Maxim., a plant belonging to the family Gentianaceae.
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place, protected from moisture and insects.
