Witnessed by: TCM
Biota (Platycladus orientalis), of the Cupressaceae family. Evergreen coniferous tree or shrub with vertical flattened sprays of scale-leaves; native range: northern and western China. Globally recognized as ce bai ye (側柏葉) leaf, bai zi ren (柏子仁) seed in Chinese, and Chinese arborvitae, oriental thuja in English. The part used is leafy twig (ce bai ye) and seed kernel (bai zi ren). Flat fan-like green sprays, resinous and astringent; small oily pale kernels with a mild sweet taste.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
BIOTA
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- biota
- Scientific name
- Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco
- Family
- Cupressaceae
Form
- Part used
- leafy twig (ce bai ye) and seed kernel (bai zi ren)
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- leaf: bitter · astringent · seed: sweet
Temperature
- TCM
- leaf: cold (slightly) · seed: neutral
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- leaf: Lung · Liver · Large Intestine · seed: Heart · Kidney · Large Intestine
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- leaf: cools the blood and stops bleeding, expels phlegm and stops cough, promotes hair growth · seed: nourishes the Heart and calms the spirit, moistens the intestines and unblocks the stool
Cautions
- Contraindications
- the seed is not for loose stools or abundant phlegm; the leaf is used with care in the cold and deficient
- Toxicity
- regarded as safe in normal dose
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