Natural Herb Library

Yi Dian Hong Herb

Chinese
一点红
Pinyin
Yi Dian Hong
Latin
Herba Emiliae
Botanical illustration of Root of Taiwan Ladyslipper, Emilia sonchifolia, showing Yi Dian Hong herb material and diagnostic source details.
Botanical plate by Kodi .

Known in TCM as Yi Dian Hong (一点红), this bitter and slightly acrid, cool herb enters the Lung and Liver. Traditionally, it clears heat and resolves toxicity ... Yi Dian Hong is used as a whole-herb heat-clearing medicine for sore throat, oral inflammation, small abscesses, and red painful swellings, most often applied for sore throat, oral ulcers, and mouth sores. Modern research has identified Flavonoid among its active constituents.

Part used: Whole herb

Also Known As

Lilac Tasselflower Herb Emilia Herb Emilia sonchifolia

Latin: Herba Emiliae | Pinyin: Yi Dian Hong | Chinese: 一点红

TCM Properties

Taste
bitter, slightly acrid
Temperature
cool
Channels
Lung, Liver

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Clears heat and resolves toxicity ... Yi Dian Hong is used as a whole-herb heat-clearing medicine for sore throat, oral inflammation, small abscesses, and red painful swellings.
  • Cools Blood and reduces swelling ... folk practice extends it to minor traumatic inflammation, hot skin lesions, and localized pain with redness.
  • Serves as a practical southern village herb ... it is often valued for simplicity and accessibility rather than for belonging to the core classical canon.

Secondary Actions

  • This page corrects an importer collision ... the medicinal identity is Yi Dian Hong from Emilia sonchifolia, not any Cypripedium ladyslipper orchid.
  • The medicinal part is the herb with root attached, which is why the slug is misleading but the content now stays botanically accurate.

Classic Formulas

  • Southern herb-tea and sore-throat pairings with Jin Yin Hua or Pu Gong Ying ... common heat-toxin logic for swollen painful upper-body patterns.
  • Fresh-herb poultice and wash traditions ... used when small abscesses, hot skin irritation, or inflamed swelling need a cooling topical herb.
  • Simple whole-herb decoctions ... a common folk pattern for regional herbs that do not rely on complex classical pill traditions.

Classical References

  • Regional materia medica places Yi Dian Hong in the heat-clearing and toxin-resolving family rather than among orchid or ornamental plant medicines.
  • Its value in folk practice comes from the fresh or dried whole herb, not from a separate root-only lane.

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Flavonoid and phenolic fractions from aerial parts ... the main anti-inflammatory constituents discussed in Emilia sonchifolia work
  • Sesquiterpene and other whole-herb extract components ... explored in pain and inflammation studies
  • Multi-omics toxicity signatures ... newer work suggests the species also needs more careful safety study than older folk use might imply

Studied Effects

  • A 2011 mouse study reported antinociceptive effects from Emilia sonchifolia extract, aligning with its folk use for painful inflammatory conditions (PMID 21185930).
  • A 2012 study found inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inducible nitric oxide by Emilia sonchifolia aerial-part extract, supporting the herb's heat-clearing and swelling-reducing reputation (PMID 22712801).
  • A 2025 multi-omics study reported hepatotoxicity mechanisms induced by Emilia sonchifolia, a reminder that even familiar folk herbs can carry underappreciated safety issues at concentrated or prolonged exposure (PMID 39826791).

PubMed References

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

  • Active liver disease until the newer hepatotoxicity signal is better clarified
  • Unsure botanical identity or ornamental-plant substitution

Cautions

  • The 2025 hepatotoxicity paper means concentrated or prolonged use should be treated more cautiously than older folk records might suggest.
  • This record corrects a major identity collision, so source verification matters before any medicinal use is assumed.

Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Yi Dian Hong Herb used for?

Yi Dian Hong Herb is traditionally used to Clears heat and resolves toxicity ... Yi Dian Hong is used as a whole-herb heat-clearing medicine for sore throat, oral inflammation, small abscesses, and red painful swellings., Cools Blood and reduces swelling ... folk practice extends it to minor traumatic inflammation, hot skin lesions, and localized pain with redness., Serves as a practical southern village herb ... it is often valued for simplicity and accessibility rather than for belonging to the core classical canon.. Research has investigated its effects on: A 2011 mouse study reported antinociceptive effects from Emilia sonchifolia extract, aligning with its folk use for painful inflammatory conditions (PMID 21185930).; A 2012 study found inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inducible nitric oxide by Emilia sonchifolia aerial-part extract, supporting the herb's heat-clearing and swelling-reducing reputation (PMID 22712801)..

What are other names for Yi Dian Hong Herb?

Yi Dian Hong Herb is also known as Lilac Tasselflower Herb, Emilia Herb, Emilia sonchifolia. In TCM: 一点红 (Yi Dian Hong); Herba Emiliae.

Is Yi Dian Hong Herb safe during pregnancy?

The safety of Yi Dian Hong Herb during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.

What are the contraindications for Yi Dian Hong Herb?

Yi Dian Hong Herb should not be used in: Active liver disease until the newer hepatotoxicity signal is better clarified; Unsure botanical identity or ornamental-plant substitution. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.