Common Name:  Alena, Boerhavia spp.; Huang Xi Xin; hog weed; Patagon rouge

 

Family:  Fabaceae

 

Part Used:  The whole plant: prepared as infused , decocted, poulticed

 

Active constituents:  Alanine; arachidic acid; aspartic acid; borhavone, some species roots has calcium oxalate crystals; sugar; saponins, serine, sitosterol, stearic acid, tannins, threonine

 

Actions: Invigorate Blood,  Abortifacient; alterative; analgesic; anthelmintic; antiamoebic; antibacterial; anticonvulsant; antidiurectic; antifibrinolytic; anti-inflammatory; antispasmodic; antiviral; aphrodisiac; appetite stimulant; appetizer; cholagogue; choleretic; depurative; diaphoretic; diuretic; emetic in large dose; emmenagogue; expectorant; febrifuge; hemostatic; hepatoprotective; hepatotonic; hypotensive; immunomodulator; lactogogue; laxative; menstrual regulator; purgative; rejuvenate; stomachic; tonic; vermifuge.

 

TCM: 1) moves blood and breaks up stasis; 2) strengthens tendons and bones; 3) Regulates menses; 4) Clears out infantile malnutrition

 

Indications:  Common: MS or trauma pain; Liver disorders; Kidney, Bladder problems; menstrual pain   Bites: rat, scorpion, snake; Cardiovascular: albuminuria, anemia, CHF, hypertension; boils, erysipelas, hives; abscess; constipation, flatulence, indigestion, low appetite; kidney damage from chronic diabetes; cataracts; Hepatic: jaundice, cirrhosis, gall stones; enlarged spleen; gout, joint pain, leg pain; epilepsy, nervous system disorders; cancer; parasites-round worms, scabies; infantile malnutrition; insomnia; hastens delivery, hemorrhage due to childbirth, pain from venereal diseases; menstrual problems, excessive bleeding, painful, and irregular; asthma, cough; urinary tract infections; nephritis; MAY cause trunk paralysis in elephants.  If used as a food, must be cooked. (Ca oxalate crystals).  Sticky leaves can be used as fly paper.

 

Cautions:  Avoid in pregnancy

 

Contraindications:  pregnancy

 

Herb Drug Interactions:  None found

 

Dosage (use animal doses where available, otherwise human doses can be included here but specify):   Human dose: dried herb: daily dose 10 gram

 

Energetics:  bitter and cool

 

Status in Hawaii: B. coccinea is alien. B. glabrata and repens and diffusa are indigenous, B. herbstii is endemic.