Pei Lan (Eupatorium)

Herb 7 of 8 in Aromatic Herbs that Transform and Dissolve Dampness

Channels:

SP, ST

Properties:

Spicy, Neutral

Latin:

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 Contraindications & Cautions

• None Noted

Herb-Drug Interactions

• 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.
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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 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.

Chinese Herb Clinical Studies & Research

• Medicinal plants in China containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids.
  Pharmazie. 2000 Oct;55(10):711-26.

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• 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