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Isatis Leaf (da qing ye)
What is isatis leaf? What is it used
for?
Isatis leaf is just that — the leaf of the isatis plant,
a biennial herb originally grown in India and China, and now
cultivated in the U.S. and elsewhere. The leaves are small
and yellow, and usually contain four or more petals. They
are collected in the summer and autumn, and prepared by letting
them dry naturally in sunlight.
Isatis leaf has antiviral, antibacterial, antipyretic and
anti-inflammatory properties. It is used for febrile diseases
such as mumps, measles and influenza. It is also used in combination
with other herbs such as scrophularia, coptis and dandelion
to treat canker sores, sore throats and skin problems. In
traditional Chinese medicine terminology, isatis leaf is bitter
and salty in flavor and cold in nature, and is used to remove
excess fire and blood heat.
Isatis leaf should not be confused with isatis root (ban
lan gen). This part of the plant has similar properties, but
is used for different conditions.
How much isatis leaf should I take?
Depending on the condition being treated, most herbalists
and practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine will recommend
between 10-15 grams of isatis leaf.
What forms of isatis leaf are available?
Fresh and dried isatis leaves are available at Asian markets,
ayurvedic supply stores and some specialty health food stores.
Extracts and infusions are also available.
What can happen if I take too much
isatis leaf? Are there any interactions I should be aware
of? What precautions should I take?
Because isatis leaf is considered quite powerful, it should
not be used by patients with a weak and cold spleen or stomach.
As of this writing, there are no known drug interactions with
isatis leaf. As always, make sure to consult with a qualified
health care provider before taking isatis leaf or any other
dietary supplement or herbal remedy.
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References
- Lou F, et al. Natural antineoplastic compounds
and their structure-activity relationships. Abstracts
of Chinese Medicine 1988;2(4):484-495.
- Ming O, et al. An Illustrated Guide
to Antineoplastic Chinese Herbal Medicine. Hong Kong:
The Commercial Press, 1990.
- Newall, Anderson, Phillipson. Herbal
Medicines: A Guide for Health Care Professionals. London:
Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
- Rui H. Recent progress of traditional
Chinese medicine and herbal medicine for the treatment and
prevention of cancer. Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional
and Western Medicine 1995;1(4):242-248.
- Weiner J, Weiner M. Herbs That Heal.
Cambridge, MA: Quantum Books, 1994.
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