pyrrosia leaf

Pyrrosia leaf (Chinese name: 石韦; pinyin: Shi Wei) refers to the dried leaves of several species in the genus Pyrrosia (notably Pyrrosia sheareri, Pyrrosia lingua, and Pyrrosia petiolosa) from the Polypodiaceae family. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is classified as sweet and bitter in taste with a slightly cold nature. It enters the Lung and Bladder meridians. Its primary functions are to promote urination (diuretic), clear heat and dampness from the urinary tract ("frees strangury"), stop bleeding (hemostatic), expel phlegm from the lungs (antitussive/expectorant), and relieve coughs[1][2][5][6]. Modern pharmacological studies suggest diuretic effects; antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus spp., Escherichia coli; anti-inflammatory properties; antitussive/expectoration support; possible antiviral effects[10]. It is used for conditions such as urinary tract infections or stones, hematuria or abnormal uterine bleeding due to heat in blood, bronchitis/asthma/coughs due to lung heat or phlegm-heat accumulation[2][5][6]. Key constituents include saponins, flavonoids, tannins, fumaric acid and polysaccharides[6][8][10].

Other names

Shi Wei石韦Pyrrosiae FoliumPyrrosia sheareri leafPyrrosia lingua leafPyrrosia petiolosa leafFelt Fern Leaf