Herba Eupatorii Fortunei Eupatorium
Materia Medica Data
- Temperature
- Neutral
- Nature & Flavour
- Spicy, Neutral
- Channels Entered
- SP, ST
- Latin (pharmaceutical)
- Herba Eupatorii Fortunei
- Chinese
- 佩兰
- Tone Marks
- pèi lán
- Translation
- Ornamental Orchid
Chinese Herb Actions
- Transforms Damp, Awaken the Spleen For stifling sensation in the chest, lack of appetite, nausea, epigastric and abdominal distension, along with a white and moist tongue coat due to damp in the middle jiao.
- Clear Summerheat, Transforms Damp For early stages of damp-warmth and summerheat-damp with nausea.
Chinese Herb Dosage
- 5-10 grams in decoction, double the dose if fresh. 12
- 3-9 grams in decoction, double the dose if fresh 13
Chinese Herb Contraindications & Cautions
- None Noted
Chinese Herb Toxicity & Overdose
- Pei Lan contains the carcinogenic alkyloid pyrrolizidine. Long term use of high doses of this alkyloid may cause liver cancer but there is no recorded incidents associated with the herb itself.
Herb-Drug Interactions
- None Noted
Western / Biomedical Research
Chinese Herb Clinical Studies & Research
Provided as research context — a summary of published biomedical study, not a therapeutic or medical claim.
- Medicinal plants in China containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids.
Pharmazie. 2000 Oct;55(10):711-26. - Pei Lan has demonstrated antibiotic and antiviral effects (1). (Chen)
- Pei Lan was effective in snake bite cases (2). (Chen)
- 1. Zhong Yao Tong Bao, 1983; 8(6):30
- 2. Guang Xi Zhong Yi Yao, 1985; 4:43
Chinese Herb Notes
- Pei Lan and Huo Xiang use their acrid, aromatic qualities to transform damp, clear summerheat, and awaken the Spleen. Pei Lan is more suitable for chest oppression with a profuse, thick, sticky saliva and a sweet taste. Hou Xiang is better for nausea and vomiting.
Sources & References
Compiled and edited by Thomas Dehli, Founder & Editor, Sacred Lotus
The information here is referenced from numerous sources — teachers, practitioners, class notes from Five Branches University, the books below, and the published research literature, with citations given as resolvable PubMed identifiers. Where sources disagree, I have flagged the discrepancies directly. If facts couldn't be verified, I have left them out. How we source our content.
Reference information for students and practitioners — not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner. Terms of use.
Chinese Herbs Books & References
https://amzn.to/3WfB3DK
https://amzn.to/3DR1VUh
https://amzn.to/42aMz73
https://amzn.to/3PuD4bt