Oldenlandia (bai hua she she cao)
Hedyotis diffusa · 白花蛇舌草
Herbs & Roots. Chinese Medicine.
Also called Hedyotis, Oldenlandia diffusa, Spreading hedyotis, Snake's tongue herb
Pinyin: Bái Huā Shé Shé Cǎo
Limited human safety dataOldenlandia is a small, white-flowered herb from Asia, used in Chinese medicine for heat, sores and some infections.
Did you know? Oldenlandia belongs to the coffee family, Rubiaceae, the same plant family as coffee and gardenia.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Infections. Used for sores, abscesses and urine infections. Lab work exists, but human trials were not found.See the research: 4 studies in peopleTraditional proof
- Digestion & gut health. Chinese clinics use it for appendicitis and bowel inflammation. Good trials were not found, so the benefit is not established.See the research: No trials in people found yetTraditional proof
- Liver. Mouse studies have looked at liver protection against acetaminophen and other liver injury. Human liver studies are missing.See the research: 1 study in peopleTraditional proof
Parts of the body
Traditional use
In Chinese medicine it is used for heat with toxins, sores and abscesses, sore throat, and painful urination from damp heat. It is also used for appendicitis and bowel heat.
How it is classified
- Herbal actions
- Antimicrobial, Anti-inflammatory, Diuretic, Antioxidant. Energy: cooling.
- Chinese medicine
- 白花蛇舌草 Clear heat. Nature: cold. Flavour: bitter, sweet. Enters the Liver, Stomach, Large Intestine and Small Intestine channels.
How people take it
The dried herb is simmered as a decoction. Chinese references list a range, but no proven dose exists. Granules, capsules and teas are sold. Injection products in China are medical products and should be used only under medical care.
Decoction, tea and capsule.
Where to get it
Grows wild in fields and on hillsides in southern China and Southeast Asia, and is also grown on farms. Sold as dried herb, granules, teas and capsules in Chinese herb shops and online.
Be careful
Human safety data are thin. The cold nature can upset a weak stomach or cause loose stools. Product listings advise against use in pregnancy. Anyone taking herbs during cancer treatment should check with the oncology team first.
Avoid if: pregnancy; breastfeeding; loose stools; weak digestion.
Mixing with other things
- Works well together
Often combined in Chinese products for heat and toxin conditions.
- Works well together
Both are cooling herbs used for heat and sores in Chinese practice.
The honest take
Oldenlandia is a respected heat-clearing herb in Chinese medicine, and it has been studied mostly in lab and animal work. Chinese clinics sometimes use it alongside cancer and infection care, but good human trials were missing in what we reviewed. It should not replace medical care for any serious condition.
Sources
Each “See the research” link opens PubMed, the U.S. National Library of Medicine's index of medical studies, showing only trials and reviews done in people. The number tells you how much a use has been tested, not whether it worked. The proof rating tells you that.
Study counts checked October 2026.