Fān Xiè Yè (番泻叶), known in English as Senna leaf (Cassia acutifolia), is a cold, sweet and bitter Chinese herb from the Drain downward category. It enters the Large Intestine channel. Its main action: purges accumulation, clears Heat.
| Pinyin | Fān Xiè Yè (Fan Xie Ye) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 番泻叶 |
| English | Senna leaf |
| Botanical name | Cassia acutifolia |
| Category | Drain downward |
| Nature | Cold |
| Flavour | Sweet, Bitter |
| Channels | Large Intestine |
| Dosage | 1.5–3g (steep only, or decoct briefly) |
| Cautions | Pregnancy; nursing; Spleen deficiency; chronic use causes dependency |
Actions
- Purges accumulation, clears Heat
- Promotes urination (mild)
Indications
- Heat accumulation constipation
- Habitual constipation (small doses)
- Oedema
How to remember Fān Xiè Yè
Drain downward herbs are mostly cool or cold and bitter, and most enter the Large Intestine and Stomach channels.
- You can work these out
- Cold, Bitter: like most Drain downward herbs
- Large Intestine channel: from its action “Purges accumulation”
- Learn by heart
- Sweet: unusual for Drain downward herbs (most are bitter)
Other Drain downward herbs
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Fān Xiè Yè?
Fān Xiè Yè is cold and sweet and bitter.
Which channels does Fān Xiè Yè enter?
Fān Xiè Yè enters the Large Intestine channel.
What are the actions of Fān Xiè Yè?
Purges accumulation, clears Heat; Promotes urination (mild).
What is Fān Xiè Yè used for?
Heat accumulation constipation; habitual constipation (small doses); oedema.
Practise Fān Xiè 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.