Alias: Sheng Bai Shao, Bai Shao Yao, Hang Bai Shao, Hang Shao, Sheng Hang Shao, Hao Shao, Jiang Li, Jin Shao Yao
Taste and Properties: Bitter 苦, Sour 酸, Slightly 寒.
Meridians: Enters the 肝 (Liver) and 脾 (Spleen) meridians.
Constitution: Blood deficiency constitution
Classical Texts: Bai Shao is recorded in ancient texts.
Effects and Functions of Bai Shao
Nourishes blood and regulates menstruation, astringes yin and stops sweating, softens the liver and alleviates pain, calms liver yang. Used for blood deficiency with sallow complexion, irregular menstruation, spontaneous sweating, night sweats, flank pain, abdominal pain, limb cramps, headache, and dizziness.
Dosage: 6-15g.
—— Source: 2015 Edition of the “Chinese Pharmacopoeia”
Nourishes blood and tonifies the liver, alleviates pain in the middle, astringes yin and stops sweating.
Blood Nourishing and Yin Supplementing: Used for symptoms caused by blood deficiency such as pale complexion, sallow complexion, fatigue, dizziness, palpitations, and chest tightness; also suitable for yin deficiency causing tidal fever and night sweats; especially used for various female conditions such as prenatal anemia, postpartum stasis, insufficient lactation, irregular menstruation, menopause, irritability, and restlessness.
Softens the Liver and Alleviates Pain: Used for chest and flank pain, hand and foot cramps, dysmenorrhea, diarrhea with blood, and pus in stools caused by liver yin deficiency; also for bleeding and pain from injuries.
Calms Liver Yang: According to the medical classic “Ben Cao Chong Yuan”, the heart governs blood, and the liver stores blood. Bai Shao treats the liver with its wood energy and the heart with its fire energy (in the five elements, the liver is wood and the heart is fire), thus it can calm liver yang, disperse stagnant blood, and eliminate blood stasis, treating various conditions of blood circulation obstruction and meridian blockage. Used for symptoms caused by excessive liver yang such as headache, dizziness, irritability, and irregular menstruation.
Astringes Yin and Stops Sweating (spontaneous sweating, night sweats): Used for exterior wind-cold with sweating and aversion to wind, combined with Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig) and Da Zao (Jujube), as in Gui Zhi Decoction; used for yin deficiency night sweats, combined with Long Gu (Dragon Bone) and Fu Xiao Mai (Floating Wheat). Bai Shao is slightly bitter and can tonify yin, and slightly sour which can astringe, thus Bai Shao can both tonify and drain, generally used for various conditions in women related to menstruation, pregnancy, and childbirth, as well as various liver diseases in men.
Effects and Functions of Bai Shao
1. Soothes the Liver and Regulates Qi
Bai Shao has liver-protective and analgesic effects. It can treat liver damage and pain in the liver area.
2. Alleviates Pain in the Middle
In famous formulas such as Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang (Peony and Licorice Decoction), Tong Xie Yao Fang (Important Formula for Painful Diarrhea), Xiao Jian Zhong Tang (Minor Construct the Middle Decoction), and Wu Ji Wan (Five-Element Pill), Bai Shao plays a role in alleviating pain in the middle. Pharmacological studies confirm that Bai Shao has a spasmolytic and analgesic effect on gastrointestinal smooth muscle, and its effect of alleviating pain in the middle is a result of its spasmolytic action.
3. Antioxidant
The total glycosides of Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex) and Shao Yao (Peony) in Bai Shao have a scavenging effect on oxygen free radicals. The total glycosides of Dan Pi can significantly inhibit the formation of lipid peroxidation in the liver and the increase of AIT, indicating that the components of Bai Shao have antioxidant effects.
Images of Bai Shao
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Image of Bai Shao
Images of Fried Bai Shao
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Images of Wine-Processed Bai Shao
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Indications for Bai Shao
Used for blood deficiency with sallow complexion, irregular menstruation, headache, dizziness, flank pain, abdominal pain, limb cramps, spontaneous sweating, night sweats, etc. Modern applications include chronic hepatitis, hypertension, arteriosclerosis, dysentery abdominal pain, habitual constipation, ulcers, calf muscle cramps, gastrointestinal spasms, various pain syndromes, bone hyperplasia, whooping cough, asthma, diabetes, etc.
Contraindications for Bai Shao
Use with caution in those with cold-damp constitution, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
Not suitable for early measles with exterior symptoms or when measles is not erupting smoothly.
Should not be used with Li Lu (Veratrum) together.
Children during measles should avoid consumption.
Not suitable to be used with sulfonamides, aminoglycosides, aluminum hydroxide, and its preparations.
Formulations with Bai Shao
Formula 1: For Treating Dizziness and Hypertension
Bai Shao and Jia Cai (Shepherd’s Purse) each 15g, Luobuma Root 6g. Decoction.
Formula 2: For Treating Irregular Menstruation and Dysmenorrhea Due to Blood Deficiency
Bai Shao 12g, Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia) and Dang Gui (Angelica) each 15g, Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum) 10g. Decoction.
Formula 3: For Treating Habitual Constipation
Sheng Bai Shao 24-40g, add Sheng Gan Cao (Raw Licorice) 10-15g, decoct and take orally, 1 dose per day.
Formula 4: For Treating Dysentery Abdominal Pain
Bai Shao and Huang Qin (Scutellaria) each 10g, Gan Cao 5g. Decoction.
Formula 5: For Treating Bronchial Asthma
Appropriate amount of Bai Shao, mixed with Licorice in a 2:1 ratio, ground into fine powder. Each time 30g of fine powder added to 120ml of water, boiled for 3-5 minutes. After clarification, take warm, 1-2 times daily. Generally effective within 30-100 minutes after taking.
Formula 6: For Treating Chronic Enteritis, Abdominal Pain, and Diarrhea
Bai Shao, Fang Feng (Siler), and Bai Zhu (Atractylodes) each 10g, Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel) 6g. Decoction.
Formula 7: For Treating Gastric Spasm Pain
Bai Shao and Gan Cao each 10g, Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig) and Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger) each 6g, 5 dates, decoct, and take with 30g of rock candy.
Formula 8: For Treating Calf Cramps and Abdominal Muscle Spasm Pain
Bai Shao 15g, Gan Cao 5g. Decoction.
Formula 9: For Treating Spontaneous Sweating
Bai Shao and Huang Qi (Astragalus) each 15g, Chao Suan Zao Ren (Fried Ziziphus Jujube Seed, crushed) and Wu Mei (Mume) each 12g. Decoction.
Daily Consumption Methods for Bai Shao
Bai Shao Stewed Pear
Ingredients: 500g of white pear chunks, 20g of Bai Shao, 20g of Mai Dong (Ophiopogon), 10g of Xi Yang Shen (American Ginseng)
Seasoning: Appropriate amount of rock sugar
Method: 1. Wash Bai Shao, Mai Dong, and Xi Yang Shen, soak in a clay pot with appropriate water for 20 minutes, then add washed white pear.
2. Place the clay pot on high heat to boil, then simmer on low heat for 1 hour, adding appropriate rock sugar for flavor.
Health Benefits: Nourishes yin, benefits qi, moistens the lungs. Suitable for yin deficiency with dry heat, cough without phlegm, thirst, and reduced urination.
Palpitations and Chest Tightness, Hand and Foot Cramps
Effect: Nourishes blood and invigorates circulation, alleviates acute pain. Method: Bai Shao and Chi Shao (Red Peony) each 15g, ground into powder, placed in 500ml of low-alcohol quality white wine, soak for 7 days for consumption. Take 15ml twice daily.
Cold Sensitivity and Limb Coldness, Hand and Foot Cramps
Effect: Dispels cold and alleviates pain. Method: Bai Shao 15g, Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-Fried Licorice) 10g, Zhi Fu Zi (Processed Aconite) 6g, all placed in a clay pot with 500ml of water, boil vigorously then simmer, take 200ml of the juice. Take in the morning and afternoon, while hot, 1 dose per day.
For sallow complexion, palpitations, tidal fever, and night sweats: Nourishes yin and blood, enhances immunity. Method: Bai Shao 30g, Dang Gui 10g, sliced, placed in a pot with appropriate water, decoct for 30 minutes, strain, and add 20g of honey when the decoction is warm.
Chest and Flank Pain, Hand and Foot Cramps
Effect: Softens the liver and alleviates pain. Method: Bai Shao 20g, Ze Xie (Alisma) 10g, Zhi Gan Cao 5g, Rou Gui (Cinnamon) 3g, all placed in a clay pot with 500ml of water, boil vigorously then simmer, take 200ml of the juice, and repeat with 300ml of water for a second decoction, mix the two juices. Take in the morning and afternoon, 1 dose per day.
Fatigue, Sallow Complexion, Cold Sensitivity, Limb Cramps
Effect: Tonifies qi and blood, invigorates circulation, warms the meridians, dispels cold. Method: 150g of lamb meat, cleaned and minced. Bai Shao, Dang Gui (Fried), and Shu Di Huang each 15g, Huang Qi 30g, all placed in a pot with water to decoct, then add the minced lamb and 100g of washed glutinous rice, along with scallions, ginger, and cooking wine. Boil vigorously then simmer until the porridge thickens, adding appropriate pepper and salt.
Blood Nourishing and Liver Tonifying, Regulating Blood and Menstruation — Four Substance Stewed Chicken Soup
Black-boned chicken 1000g, Dang Gui 10g, Bai Shao 10g, Shu Di Huang 10g, Chuan Xiong 8g, scallions, ginger, cooking wine, MSG, pepper, and salt to taste. Cut off the chicken feet, remove the internal organs, blanch in boiling water, then wash clean; wash ginger and scallions; wash and slice Dang Gui, Chuan Xiong, Bai Shao, and Shu Di Huang, placing them in a clean double-layer gauze bag. Place the clay pot on high heat, add 1000g of fresh broth, put in the chicken and the herb bag, boil, skim off the foam; add ginger, scallions, and cooking wine, then simmer until the chicken meat and bones are tender; season with salt, pepper, and MSG; remove the herb bag, ginger, and scallions, and serve the soup with the chicken.
Relieves Spasms, Diuretic and Analgesic — Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang
Bai Shao 30g, Gan Cao 10g, rock sugar 30g. Soak Gan Cao and Bai Shao, slice, place in a pot with 1000ml of water. Place the pot over medium heat, decoct for 20 minutes, strain out the residue, and mix in the rock sugar.
Tonifies Deficiency and Nourishes the Body, Nourishes Blood and Regulates — Bai Shao Mai Dong Porridge
Glutinous rice 100g, dried jujube 20g, Bai Shao 15g, wheat 20g, honey 15g. Wash the glutinous rice clean, soak in cold water for 1-2 hours, drain; clean the wheat and Bai Shao, place in a gauze bag, tie tightly and place in the pot, add appropriate cold water to boil, then simmer for 20 minutes, remove the herb bag, keep the decoction in the pot; pit and wash the jujube, cut in half; add the glutinous rice and jujube to the pot, boil vigorously then simmer until the glutinous rice is soft, mix in honey.
Tonifies Qi and Blood, Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach, Alleviates Pain — Blood Nourishing and Pain Relieving Porridge
Japonica rice 100g, Huang Qi 15g, Dang Gui 15g, Bai Shao 15g, Ze Lan 10g, brown sugar 30g. Decoct Huang Qi, Dang Gui, Bai Shao, and Ze Lan for 15 minutes, strain to obtain the decoction. Add the japonica rice to cook porridge, and when cooked, add brown sugar.