Begonia, Zi Bei Tian Kui 紫背天葵

Tea Begonia
Zi Bei Tian Kui, Hong Tian Kui (TCM)

Begonia fimbristipula
Curtis, W., Botanical Magazine (1887)

Botanical name:

Begonia fimbristipula (syn. B. cyclophylla)
Begonia laciniata appears to be used similarly in India for Fever, Liver disease and Venereal diseases

Parts used:

Herb

Temperature & Taste:

Cool, dry. Sweet (mildly Toxic)

Classification:

Clears Heat and Toxin

Uses:

1. Clears Heat, Resists Poison:
-Lung Heat Cough
-Sore Throat
-Toxic Sores
2. Clears Heat, Moves the Blood, Resolves Stasis:
-Trauma, Bruising
-Pain from Blood stasis
3. Externally:
-topically applied to Venomous Insect and Snake bites
-applied to red, swollen, painful skin conditions, Boils, Abscesses etc.

Dose:

Decoction: 3–9 grams
Powder: 1–3 grams

Substitute:

Semiaquilegiae Tian Kui Zi is a related medicine and is generally more used today.

Main Combinations:

1. Boils and Toxic Sores, Begonia with Dandelion (Pu Gong Ying), Honeysuckle (Jin Yin Hua), Violet (Di Hua Di Ding)

Major Formulas:

Cautions:

1. Slightly Toxic, daily dose should not be more than 15 grams.
2. Not used for “Yin-type” sores and boils (ie. those that are pale and dark colored).

Main Preparations used:

Nothing at Present