Bai Wei (Cynanchum Atratum Root): The Ultimate Guide
What is Bai Wei (Cynanchum Atratum Root)?
Bai Wei, also known as Cynanchum atratum root, is a highly revered herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Recognized for its cooling and detoxifying properties, Bai Wei has been used for centuries to treat various ailments, particularly those associated with heat and inflammation. This herb is noted for its ability to clear heat from the blood, reduce fever, and promote urination.
Health Benefits of Bai Wei
1. Anti-inflammatory Properties: Helps reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms of inflammatory conditions.
2. Fever Reduction: Traditionally used to lower high fevers and manage febrile diseases.
3. Detoxification: Aids in detoxifying the body by clearing heat and toxins from the blood.
4. Promotes Urination: Acts as a diuretic, helping to relieve urinary difficulties and reduce edema.
5. Immune Support: Boosts immune function and helps fend off infections.
Bai Wei Mechanism of Action
Understanding Bai Wei in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Category: Bai Wei belongs to the 'Herbs that Clear Heat and Dry Dampness' category in TCM. These herbs are primarily used to treat inflammatory and infectious conditions, known as 'Internal Heat' in TCM.
Nature: Bai Wei is Cold in nature. This characteristic makes it particularly effective for individuals with excess 'Heat' in their bodies. In TCM, an imbalance of Yin (Cold) and Yang (Hot) can lead to health issues. Bai Wei helps restore this balance by cooling down the body.
Taste: Bai Wei has a Bitter and Salty taste. According to the Five Phases theory in TCM:
- Bitter Taste: Cleanses the body by clearing Heat, drying Dampness, and promoting elimination through urination or bowel movements.
- Salty Taste: Drains the body by clearing accumulations, removing Phlegm, and softening hard lumps.
Targeted Organs and Meridians: Bai Wei primarily targets the Kidney, Liver, and Stomach.
- Kidney: Regulates the urinary system, reproductive system, and influences growth and aging.
- Liver: Manages the movement of Qi and Body Fluids, balances emotions, and acts as the body's "general."
- Stomach: Responsible for processing ingested food and fluids, and directing digested elements to the Small Intestine.
Research on Bai Wei
Recent studies have shown that extracts from blackened swallowwort root (Bai Wei) can up-regulate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor –C (VEGF-C), VEGF-A, and lymphatic vessel endothelial HA receptor-1. These factors promote liver angiogenesis in mice with partial hepatectomy.
Who Should Use This Herb?
Bai Wei is particularly beneficial for individuals experiencing:
- High fever
- Inflammatory conditions
- Urinary difficulties
- Heat-related illnesses
- General detoxification needs
Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new herbal regimen.
How to Use Bai Wei
1. Decoction Preparation:
- Dried Bai Wei root.
- Boil it in water for 20-30 minutes.
- Strain and drink the decoction twice daily.
Product Description
Herbal Information on Bai Wei Unsulfured in Cut Form
Common Names: Cynanchum atratum
Botanical Name: Cynanchum Atratum Root
Channels/Meridians: Lung, Stomach, Kidney
Other Names: Swallowwort Root, Dog-strangling vine, Cynanchi, Blackend swallowwort
Pin Yin Name: Bai Wei
Other Ingredients: None, nothing has been added to this product.
Package Size: 1 pound
Form: Cut / pieces
Origin: China
Brand: Plum Flower
Caution: Do not use if pregnant or nursing. Do not use if Cold in spleen and stomach. Can cause symptoms of nausea, vomiting, headaches, and diarrhea.
Benefits of Bai wei
- Cools the Blood
- Clears Lung Heat
- Maintains natural body fluid balance
- Herb Category: Herbs that Cool the Blood
Product Properties: Bitter, Cold, Salty
Bai Wei's naturally occruing compounds: C21 steroidal saponins such as cynanoside N, atratoglaucoside B, cynanoside A-M, cynanoside O, cynanoside S, cynanoside Q1-Q3, sublanceoside E1, cynascyroside C, atratoside A, atratoside B, cynanoside R1-R3, cynanoside P1-P5, AE,glaucogenin C, atratoglaucoside A, glaucogenin C-3-O-É‘-D-thevetopyranoside, atratcynoside AC, atratcynoside DE, atratcynoside F, glaucoside A, glaucoside C, glaucoside H, sublanceoside L2 sublanceoside H2, glaucogenin C-3-Oglaucogenin -β-D-thevetopyranoside, cynanversicoside AG, glaucoside C, glaucoside H, glaucoside D, neocynaversieosidede.
In addition, Bai Wei also contains volatile oils, alkaloids, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, β-carotene, acetophenone derivatives, and benzophenone derivatives.
With so many different ways to use bulk herbs, it is easy to get confused. In order to understand how to use the different parts of the plant, please see our informational chart below. We also have several helpful pages if you need additional information. Check out our How to Use Bulk Herbs page to see how to use herbs correctly.
About Plum Flower Quality Herb Cut Bulk Herbs
Plum Flower is an established worldwide manufacturer of high-quality Chinese herbs, and innovative Chinese medicinal herbs and products. Plum Flower uses sulfur-free herbs and laboratory tests its products for contamination and heavy metals, such as mercury, lead, and pesticides.
Main Characteristics (Attributes) of Herbs
- Harvested at the proper level of maturity and correct time of the season to maximize potency.
- Free from Chlorine
- Manufactured without the use of sulphur
- Preservative Free
- Made at GMP internationally certified facilities (Good Manufacturing Practices) Quality control tests are done at the manufacturing site and at third party labs to confirm results
- Aluminum Phosphate free
- Packaged in an airtight sealed bag
- Pin Yin Names and Botanical Names are listed on the bag
- Certificate of Analysis are available upon request
- Conforms to Standards of Chinese Pharmacopeia
- No dyes, colors, or bleaching of the herbs
- We are a authorized direct distributor of Plum Flower Herbs.
- 500 gram bag size which equal anywhere from 4 to 6 cups of herbs
Chinese Traditional herbs should be regarded as a supplementary aspect to modern western healthcare, and not as a replacement. Chinese traditional herbs ( Teas ) emphasize harmony, and balance.
Why use Chinese Bulk Herbs?
Traditional Chinese Medicine curative herbal formulas have been developed, improved and perfected for over 5000 years.
Traditional Chinese Medicine is an ancient, holistic medical system used all over the world to treat a wide variety of health issues. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) works by helping to balance the bodies’ functions thus restoring health.
As soon as the Chinese people began to carve out a civilization in ancient China it developed a cultural heritage that has continued to the present day. TCM is the oldest and one of the safest, effective systems one can use to care for their body, it promotes health and helps to sustain longevity.
Chinese herbs have been with mankind for 5,000 years and will be with us in the years ahead – it is using nature’s bountiful gifts to have good health.
References:
https://www.meandqi.com/herb-database/swallow-wort-roothttps://www.americandragon.com/Individualherbsupdate/BaiWei.html
https://tcmly.com/bai-wei/
Bensky: Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
Meng F. (2015) The extract of blackend swallowwort root up-regulates the expressions of angiogenesis related proteins and promotes liver angiogenesis of mice with partial hepatectomy. Xi Bao Yu Fen Zi Mian Yi Xue Za Zhi 31(4): 478-83
