Dittany root bark / bai xian pi (白鲜皮)
Dictamnus dasycarpus
Photo credit: yakovlev.alexey from Moscow, Russia
This plant carries serious safety risks. All information is for educational reference only.
Safety information
Toxicity: Hepatotoxicity reported — Dictamni Cortex a notable cause of herb-induced liver injury (a Korean series attributed ~37% of identified HILI cases to it); dictamnine implicated as a CYP3A-activated hepatotoxin. Some severe/fatal cases.
Contraindications: Hepatic impairment; pregnancy data limited; avoid prolonged/high-dose use; monitor liver if used.
Interactions: Caution with hepatically cleared/hepatotoxic drugs; CYP3A relevance.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Pregnancy data limited.
Evidence level
Supported by laboratory or animal studies; not yet confirmed in humans.
Preparations
This plant carries serious safety risks. All information is for educational reference only.
topical wash · root bark
Part used: root bark
in formula · root bark
Part used: root bark
decoction · root bark
Part used: root bark
Traditional use: clears heat, dries dampness, expels wind, relieves itch/detoxifies; eczema, rubella/urticaria, damp-heat sores, jaundice, wind-damp joint pain
Proposed mechanism: alkaloids (dictamnine), limonoids (obacunone, fraxinellone), flavonoids — anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, antimicrobial
Dosage note (descriptive only): avoid prolonged/high-dose use; monitor liver
Reference only — not a dosage instruction
Associated conditions
Nutritional notes
n/a
Healing traditions
Sources (2)
- [E40] dictamnine-induced hepatotoxicity / CYP3A4 mechanism study
- [E39] Dictamnus dasycarpus traditional uses/phytochemistry/pharmacology/toxicology review