Da Qing Ye (大青叶) — Isatis Leaf
Da Qing Ye is one of the most important Chinese antiviral and anti-infectious herbs. Widely used for viral pharyngitis, mumps, measles, febrile illness and skin toxicity, it has entered modern Chinese hospital practice for a wide range of infectious presentations.
On this page
- Overview
- Properties
- Actions and indications
- Dosage
- Cautions and incompatibilities
- Key formulas
- Treatment at my clinic
1. Overview
Da Qing Ye (大青叶) — Isatis Leaf (Isatis indigotica (leaf)) — is a Chinese herb in the Clear Heat and Resolve Toxicity category. I prescribe it as part of bespoke pharmaceutical-grade granule formulas from Sun Ten in Taiwan at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire and via online herbal consultations.
2. Properties
| Pinyin name | Da Qing Ye |
|---|---|
| Chinese characters | 大青叶 |
| Latin name | Isatis indigotica (leaf) |
| English name | Isatis Leaf |
| Nature | Very cold |
| Flavour | Bitter, salty |
| Channels entered | Heart, Lung, Stomach |
| Category | Clear Heat and Resolve Toxicity |
3. Actions and indications
Principal actions
- Clears Heat and resolves Fire Toxin
- Cools Blood and reduces rashes
- Antiviral (widely documented)
Indications
- Severe febrile illness with high fever
- Viral pharyngitis and tonsillitis
- Mumps, measles and other viral eruptions
- Erysipelas and skin toxicity
- Purpura from Blood-Heat
4. Dosage
9–15g dried leaf; up to 30g fresh
5. Cautions and incompatibilities
- Very cold — not for Spleen-Cold or empty-Cold patterns
- Reduce dose in the elderly
- Use with caution during pregnancy
6. Key formulas
7. Treatment at my clinic
I prescribe Da Qing Ye where its indications and TCM pattern match the patient’s presentation, always as part of a tailored formula. Return to the Chinese herbs directory or the Chinese herbal medicine main page.
