Folium Cassiae Alatae
Aliases：Dispels Wind and dries Dampness; relieves itching; promotes laxation.
Dui Ye Dou is the name of a traditional Chinese medicine. It is the leaf of Cassia alata Linn., a plant in the family Fabaceae (Leguminosae). It is recorded in Chinese Materia Medica, National Compendium of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Selected Chinese Herbal Medicines of Simao, Yunnan, and Xishuangbanna Dai Materia Medica, among other herbal works.
Efficacy & Actions
Dispels Wind and dries Dampness; relieves itching; promotes laxation.
Indications
Eczema and skin itching; psoriasis and neurodermatitis; herpes; sores, boils, and abscesses; constipation.
Modern Pharmacology
Antitumor effect: The acidic extract of the leaves exhibits mild inhibitory activity against sarcoma-37 implanted in the thigh muscle of mice. Laxative effect: The leaves and fruits contain anthraquinone glycosides, which possess laxative activity. Antibacterial effect: The anthraquinone glycosides in the leaves and fruits exhibit antibacterial activity and inhibit various dermatophytes, providing a pharmacological basis for the treatment of skin diseases such as ringworm and eczema. Anti-inflammatory effect: Related studies indicate that Ringworm Senna possesses anti-inflammatory activity, with mechanisms involving the inhibition of inflammatory mediator release. Antioxidant effect: The flavonoid constituents in Ringworm Senna exhibit antioxidant activity.
Ingredients
The leaves and fruits of Ringworm Senna mainly contain the following active constituents: Anthraquinones (principal active constituents): Rhein, emodin, and aloe-emodin. Physcion-L-glucoside. Isochrysophanol. 4,5-Dihydroxy-1-hydroxymethylanthrone; 4,5-dihydroxy-2-hydroxymethylanthraquinone. Aloe-emodin-8-O-β-D-glucoside; aloe-emodin-3-(hydroxymethyl)-O-β-glucoside. Flavonoids: Twelve compounds have been isolated from the leaves, including chrysoeriol. Others: Lup-20(29)-en-3-one; β-sitosterol. Tocopherol. 2-Ethyl-3-methylmaleic anhydride; m-dimethoxy-p-hydroxy-E-cinnamic acid; 2,3-diacetylbutanetetrol.
Usage & Dosage
Oral use: Decocted in water, 3–6 g, added at the end of decoction. External use: Appropriate amount. Fresh leaves are pounded to obtain the juice for topical application; or the herb is prepared as an ointment and applied topically.
Contraindications
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should take this product with caution. Individuals with Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold should not take it for an extended period, as its cold nature tends to impair Spleen-Yang. For oral use, it should be added at the end of decoction and not boiled for a long time, so as to avoid destruction of the active constituents.
Selected Formulas
For tinea and eczema (Xishuangbanna Dai Medicine Records) Crush Duixiedou leaves to extract the juice and apply externally. For damp-heat skin diseases (Longshalong Jiehuo) (empirical formula) Take Duixiedou leaves together with Difuzi (Kochia scoparia fruit) and Baixianpi (Dictamnus dasycarpus), and prepare as a medicinal bath for external use. For constipation (empirical formula) Take 3–6g of Duixiedou leaves, decoct in water, add later (后下), and take orally.
Medicinal Parts
Leaf.
Selection & Storage
Dried material should be stored in a dry, well-ventilated place. Protect from moisture and insect damage. Airtight storage is recommended. Avoid direct sunlight. Fresh material should be used promptly or refrigerated for short-term storage.
