Fan Xie Ye

Naming

Fan Xie Ye (Folium Sennae)——Yin Pian Xin Can (New Reference of Cut-Crude-Herb)

The Processing of Fan Xie Ye

Origin

The leaf of C. angustifolia Vahl or C. acutifolia Delile of family Pulse.

Location

The former mainly grows in Indian, while the latter is produced in Egypt. It is also planted and cultivated in Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan provinces of China.

Harvest

Collected in September.

The actual smell and taste

Light and special fragracy, slight bitter taste.

Best quality

Big and complete leaves, green, few stalk.

Processing

Dried and unprocessed.

The Effect of Fan Xie Ye

Property

Bitter, cold, large intestine meridian entered.

Actions

Relax bowels with purgative.

Indications

Constipation due to heat accumulation

Its nature of bitter-cold with action of purgation is similar to that of Da Huang. Except for purgation and resolving accumulation, it can also clear excess heat and mainly indicated for heat constipation, and also for habitual constipation or senile constipation. It can be infused singly, or combined with Zhi Shi Hou Po to mutually reinforce the action of resolving accumulation with purgative.

Dosage and Administrations

Infuse l.5~3 g or decoct later 2~6 g. Take small dosage when being used at laxative, while take large dosage when being used as offensive purgative.

Cautions

It is contraindicated to women during pregnant, menstruation and lactation for the substances from purgation can be discharged when following the secretion of milk.