Cè Bǎi Yè (侧柏叶), known in English as Oriental arborvitae leafy twig (Platycladus orientalis), is a cold, bitter and astringent Chinese herb from the Stop bleeding category. It enters the Lung, Liver and Spleen channels. Its main action: cools Blood, stops bleeding.
| Pinyin | Cè Bǎi Yè (Ce Bai Ye) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 侧柏叶 |
| English | Oriental arborvitae leafy twig |
| Botanical name | Platycladus orientalis |
| Category | Stop bleeding |
| Nature | Cold |
| Flavour | Bitter, Astringent |
| Channels | Lung, Liver, Spleen |
| Dosage | 6–12g (topical as needed) |
| Cautions | Large doses or long-term use may cause dizziness and poor appetite |
Actions
- Cools Blood, stops bleeding
- Transforms Phlegm, stops cough
- Promotes hair growth, darkens greying hair
Indications
- Bleeding from Heat in the Blood: haemoptysis, haematemesis, epistaxis, bloody stool, uterine bleeding
- Lung-Heat cough with thick phlegm
- Hair loss and premature greying
How to remember Cè Bǎi Yè
Stop bleeding herbs are mostly cool or cold and bitter, and most enter the Liver channel.
- You can work these out
- Cold, Bitter, Liver channel: like most Stop bleeding herbs
- Lung channel: from its use for “Lung-Heat cough with thick phlegm”
- Learn by heart
- Astringent: unusual for Stop bleeding herbs (most are bitter)
- Spleen channel: nothing in its group or its actions points to it
Formulas containing Cè Bǎi Yè
Other Stop bleeding herbs
- Sān Qī
- Ài Yè
- Dì Yú
- Huái Huā
- Bái Máo Gēn
- Pú Huáng
- Xiān Hè Cǎo
- Bái Jí
- Qiàn Cǎo Gēn
- Dà Jì
- Xiǎo Jì
- Ǒu Jié
- Fú Lóng Gān
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Cè Bǎi Yè?
Cè Bǎi Yè is cold and bitter and astringent.
Which channels does Cè Bǎi Yè enter?
Cè Bǎi Yè enters the Lung, Liver and Spleen channels.
What are the actions of Cè Bǎi Yè?
Cools Blood, stops bleeding; Transforms Phlegm, stops cough; Promotes hair growth, darkens greying hair.
What is Cè Bǎi Yè used for?
Bleeding from Heat in the Blood: haemoptysis, haematemesis, epistaxis, bloody stool, uterine bleeding; Lung-Heat cough with thick phlegm; hair loss and premature greying.
Which formulas contain Cè Bǎi Yè?
Shí Huī Sǎn.
Practise Cè Bǎi Yè and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.