Bindens spp. , Adenolepsis spp., Campylotheca spp.; Kinchi,

Xian Feng Cao; Spanish needle

Asteraceae

Whole plant

Acetylenes; aurone glycosides; aylated okanin glycosides; b-sitosterol; chalcone glycosides; esculetin; flavonoids; gallic and oxalic acids; limonene; linoleic acid; luteolin; sterols; tannins; volatile oils and according to Michael Moore, “some peculiar phenolic astringents”

Western: blood purifier, antibacterial; antidote; antidysenteric, antihemorrhagic; anti-inflammatory; antimalarial; antimicrobial; antipyretic; astringent; carminative; circulation promoting; diuretic; emmenagogue; emollient; hepatoprotective; hypotensive; intoxicant; lactogogue; liver protective; mucous membrane tonic; prevents colds and flu; sialagogue; stagnant blood dispelling; stimulates childbirth; styptic; urogenital system tonic; vulnerary.

TCM Functions: 1. Cools and resolves the surface; 2. Clear heat and toxins. Removes toxins, removes stagnation; 3. Clears damp heat from lower jiao, 4.Removes wind dampness; 6. Purges Fire; 7. Reduces swelling

Cardio-prevent stroke, “cools the blood”, angina; Derm-skin rash, itching, eczema; boils, abscess; GI-nausea and vomiting, food poisoning, appendicitis, IBD, haemorrhoids, colitis, dysentery; also stimulate appetite, difficulty swallowing, weight loss; diabetes; headache, eye inflammation, earache; nasal discharge; toothache, mouth ulcers; tonsillitis; esophageal enlargement; laryngitis; jaundice, biliary colic, malaria, cold and flu; glandular sclerosis; joint pain; rheumatoid arthritis; gout; wounds; traumatic injuries;

Cancer, esp. gastric or esophageal; worms, even in children; infantile fever with convulsions; ailments caused by evil spirits; sedative for smart-alecks; vaginal infections; uterine hemorrhage; stimulates childbirth; benign prostatic hypertrophy. Difficult urination; asthma, bronchitis, cough with spitting blood; sinus headaches, allergies, pneumonic TB; acute nephritis, kidney stones, UTIs; urinary retention; Foot and Mouth Disease; insect bites and scorpion stings; leprosy, prickly heat.

USE AS FOOD-young leaves eaten raw or steamed. Fermented with rice to make sake.

Used as an iced beverage in summertime to relieve summer heat.

Also as a crop protector against moulds and nematode attacks-increases corm yield

Can irritate the bladder and kidney at high doses, use with care if deficient with cold in St and Spleen.

Caution with pregnancy as can induce labour.

None noted

Human: dried herb: 15-60 grams per day; (up to 120 grams for acute conditions) Ingest during daylight for maximum effect; Prepare as decoction or tincture, while still in flower