Herba Commelinae Bengalensis
Aliases：Zhu Cai (Bamboo Vegetable); Zhu Zi Cai (Little Bamboo Vegetable); Zhu Zhu Cai; Zhu Ye Cai (Bamboo Leaf Vegetable); Huo Chai Tou (Match Head); Qian Ri Shai (Thousand-Day Sun Exposure); Da Hao Ri Tou Jiu; Da Ye Lan Hua Zhu Zi Cao; Fen Jie Cao (Powder-Node Grass); Da Ye Lan Hua Cao (Large-Leaf Orchid Grass); Zhu Jie Hua (Bamboo-Node Flower).
Ma Er Cao (Bengal Dayflower) is the name of a traditional Chinese medicine. It is the whole plant of Commelina bengalensis L., a plant in the family Commelinaceae. It grows in moist, shaded places by fields, in ditches, or under forests. It is recorded in Chinese Materia Medica, Hebei Chinese Herbal Medicine, Fujian Folk Herbal Medicine, Fujian Chinese Herbal Medicine, Fujian Materia Medica, and other herbal works.
Efficacy & Actions
Clears Heat and removes toxin; promotes diuresis and reduces swelling.
Indications
Fever in heat disease; excessive thirst with restlessness; sore throat with swelling and pain; heat dysentery; heat strangury; hemorrhoids; furuncles, carbuncles, and swellings; snake and insect bites.
Modern Pharmacology
Modern pharmacological research on Bengal Dayflower remains insufficient. The following findings are primarily derived from chemical and pharmacological studies on plants of the family Commelinaceae and preliminary explorations, and are provided for reference: Antibacterial effect: Plants of the family Commelinaceae contain constituents such as delphinidin-type anthocyanins and possess certain antibacterial activity. Anti-inflammatory effect: The aqueous extract of the related species Commelina communis in the same family possesses anti-inflammatory activity and can inhibit the release of inflammatory factors. Diuretic effect: Bengal Dayflower has the traditional effect of promoting diuresis to reduce swelling. Its diuretic effect may be related to the alcohols and sterols it contains. Note: The above pharmacological findings are largely derived from comprehensive studies on Commelinaceae plants or preliminary experiments. Dedicated systematic pharmacological research on Bengal Dayflower (the whole plant of C. bengalensis) remains to be further conducted. Traditional actions and indications should remain the primary basis for use.
Ingredients
The whole plant of Bengal Dayflower contains the following active constituents: Alcohols: Octacosanol. Triacontanol. Hentriacontanol. Sterols: Stigmasterol. β-Sitosterol. Campesterol. Others: Benzyladenine. Delphinidin-3-p-coumaroylglucoside. In leaves and flowers: Anthocyanins, mainly cyanidin-3,3′,7′-triglucoside and delphinidin triglucoside. Note: The original Chinese text “见甾醇 (stigmasterol)” should be “豆甾醇”; and in “正三十一醇 (dotriacontanol),” dotriacontanol is actually 1-dotriacontanol (正三十二醇), whereas the correct English name for 正三十一醇 is hentriacontanol. The corrected chemical names are used above.
Usage & Dosage
Oral use: Decocted in water, 15–30 g; fresh material 30–60 g. External use: Appropriate amount. Fresh material is pounded and applied topically; or decocted in water for washing.
Contraindications
Use with caution in individuals with Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold. Bengal Dayflower is cold in nature, and its use may cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, and other discomfort in such individuals. Contraindicated or should be used with caution during pregnancy. Women during menstruation should avoid use to prevent the cold nature from damaging Qi and Blood. Use with caution in individuals with an allergic constitution, as skin allergic reactions may occur with external use. Not suitable for long-term or high-dose use. It is recommended to discontinue after symptoms are relieved.
Selected Formulas
1、 For difficult urination and painful dribbling (Fujian Folk Herbal Medicine) Take 30–60g of Zhuyecai. Decoct with an appropriate amount of water and drink as tea regularly. 2、 For bloody dysentery (Fujian Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 60–90g of fresh whole plant of Fanbaocao. Decoct in water and drink. 3、 For furuncles, boils, and toxic swellings with redness, swelling, and pain (Fujian Folk Herbal Medicine) Take one handful of fresh whole plant of Zhuyecai. Wash with cold boiled water, crush together with winter honey, and apply as a poultice. Change twice daily. 4、 For snake bites (Fujian Folk Herbal Medicine) Take fresh Zhuyecai, wash with cold boiled water, crush and squeeze out the juice. Take the juice cold, and apply the residue to the wound. 5、 For hemorrhoids (Hebei Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take an appropriate amount of Fanbaocao. Decoct in water and wash the affected area.
Medicinal Parts
Whole plant.
Selection & Storage
Dried material should be stored in a well-ventilated, dry 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.
