Jīng Jiè (荆芥), known in English as Schizonepeta (Schizonepeta tenuifolia), is a warm, acrid Chinese herb from the Release exterior (Cold) category. It enters the Lung and Liver channels. Its main action: releases exterior, disperses Wind.
| Pinyin | Jīng Jiè (Jing Jie) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 荆芥 |
| English | Schizonepeta |
| Botanical name | Schizonepeta tenuifolia |
| Category | Release exterior (Cold) |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Acrid |
| Channels | Lung, Liver |
| Dosage | 3–9g |
| Cautions | Strong sweating or qi deficiency patterns |
Actions
- Releases exterior, disperses Wind
- Stops bleeding (charred form)
- Vents rashes, reduces itching
Indications
- Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat exterior
- Early-stage rashes
- Wind-induced itching
- Bleeding (charred)
How to remember Jīng Jiè
Release exterior (Cold) herbs are mostly warm or hot and acrid, and most enter the Lung channel.
- You can work these out
- Warm, Acrid: like most Release exterior (Cold) herbs
- Lung channel: from its action “Releases exterior”
- Learn by heart
- Liver channel: nothing in its group or its actions points to it
Formulas containing Jīng Jiè
Other Release exterior (Cold) herbs
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Jīng Jiè?
Jīng Jiè is warm and acrid.
Which channels does Jīng Jiè enter?
Jīng Jiè enters the Lung and Liver channels.
What are the actions of Jīng Jiè?
Releases exterior, disperses Wind; Stops bleeding (charred form); Vents rashes, reduces itching.
What is Jīng Jiè used for?
Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat exterior; early-stage rashes; Wind-induced itching; bleeding (charred).
Which formulas contain Jīng Jiè?
Yín Qiào Sǎn, Xiāo Fēng Sǎn, Chuān Xiōng Chá Tiáo Sǎn and Zhǐ Sòu Sǎn.
Practise Jīng Jiè 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.