Hàn Lián Cǎo (旱莲草), known in English as Eclipta/False daisy (Eclipta prostrata), is a cold, sweet and sour Chinese herb from the Tonify yin category. It enters the Liver and Kidney channels. Its main action: nourishes Liver and Kidney Yin.
| Pinyin | Hàn Lián Cǎo (Han Lian Cao) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 旱莲草 |
| English | Eclipta/False daisy |
| Botanical name | Eclipta prostrata |
| Category | Tonify yin |
| Nature | Cold |
| Flavour | Sweet, Sour |
| Channels | Liver, Kidney |
| Dosage | 9–30g |
| Cautions | Spleen deficiency with Cold-Damp |
Actions
- Nourishes Liver and Kidney Yin
- Cools Blood, stops bleeding from Yin deficiency
Indications
- Liver and Kidney Yin deficiency: dizziness, tinnitus, premature greying
- Yin deficiency Heat-induced bleeding
- Often paired with Nu Zhen Zi (Er Zhi Wan)
How to remember Hàn Lián Cǎo
Tonify yin herbs are mostly cool or cold and sweet, and most enter the Kidney and Liver channels.
- You can work these out
- Cold, Sweet: like most Tonify yin herbs
- Liver and Kidney channels: from its action “Nourishes Liver and Kidney Yin”
- Learn by heart
- Sour: unusual for Tonify yin herbs (most are sweet)
Formulas containing Hàn Lián Cǎo
Other Tonify yin herbs
- Mài Dōng
- Nǚ Zhēn Zǐ
- Gǒu Qǐ Zǐ
- Shēng Dì Huáng
- Tiān Dōng
- Yù Zhú
- Shí Hú
- Guī Bǎn
- Biē Jiǎ
- Bǎi Hé
- Běi Shā Shēn
- Huáng Jīng
- Sāng Shèn
- Hēi Zhī Má
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Hàn Lián Cǎo?
Hàn Lián Cǎo is cold and sweet and sour.
Which channels does Hàn Lián Cǎo enter?
Hàn Lián Cǎo enters the Liver and Kidney channels.
What are the actions of Hàn Lián Cǎo?
Nourishes Liver and Kidney Yin; Cools Blood, stops bleeding from Yin deficiency.
What is Hàn Lián Cǎo used for?
Liver and Kidney Yin deficiency: dizziness, tinnitus, premature greying; Yin deficiency Heat-induced bleeding; often paired with Nu Zhen Zi (Er Zhi Wan).
Which formulas contain Hàn Lián Cǎo?
Èr Zhì Wán.
Practise Hàn Lián Cǎo 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.