cortex fraxini

Cortex Fraxini (秦皮; Qin Pi) is the dried inner bark of several species of ash trees in the genus Fraxinus—primarily *Fraxinus rhynchophylla*, *Fraxinus chinensis*, *Fraxinus szaboana*, and *Fraxinus stylosa*. It is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb classified as a "heat-clearing" and "dampness-drying" agent. Cortex Fraxini has been used for over 2,000 years to treat conditions such as diarrhea (especially damp-heat dysentery), bacillary dysentery with tenesmus and abdominal pain, excessive leukorrhea (vaginal discharge), conjunctivitis (red/swollen eyes), cough with phlegm or wheezing due to lung heat, hyperuricemia/gout, and other inflammatory disorders[1][6][7][8]. Phytochemically rich in coumarins (notably esculin, esculetin, fraxin/fraxetin), lignans, secoiridoids, phenolic acids/flavonoids/triterpenoids/steroids[6], Cortex Fraxini exhibits anti-inflammatory[6], antioxidant[3], antibacterial[6], and anti-tumor properties. Modern studies show its active metabolites can regulate cell cycle progression and apoptosis in tumor cells via pathways such as MEK/ERK inhibition and PI3-K/Akt/GSK3β modulation[3][6]. In TCM theory it enters the Gallbladder/Liver/Large Intestine meridians; it is bitter/cold/astringent. It may be used internally or externally.

Other names

qin piash barkfraxinus branch barkfraxinus rhynchophylla barkfraxinus chinensis barkfraxinus szaboana barkfraxinus stylosa bark