Jing Jie (Herba Schizonepetae) is from the aerial parts of the herbaceous plant, Schizonepeta tenuifolia Brig. , family Labiatae. The medicinal material is collected in the summer or autumn. It is dried in the shade and cut into segments. It is generally used in its crude form, however, it can also be used after stir-baking or when carbonised.
Category: Exterior Releasing.
Common Name: Schizonopeta stem or bud; Catnip.
Channels Entered: Lung and Liver.
Properties and Functions: Jing Jie is pungent in flavour and slightly warm in nature. In its raw form, it works to release the exterior and dispel Wind, whilst also stopping rashes and itching. Its carbonised form is used to stop bleeding.
Indications: Clinically, Jing Jie is used to treat the following:
- Exterior syndrome due to Wind-Cold manifesting as fever, aversion to cold, headache and lack of sweating.
- Exterior syndrome due to Wind-Heat manifesting as headache, redness of the eyes, thirst and dry throat.
- Skin eruptions with itching and sometimes accompanying pain.
- Bleeding syndromes such as haematemesis (vomiting blood), epistaxis (nose bleed) or bleeding in the stool due to haemorrhoids.
Dosge: 3 – 9g
Cautions and Contra-Indications: It is contra-indicated in patients with headache due to Yin-deficiency, erupted sores and in cases with absence of pathogenic Wind of any kind.