What are the effects and functions of Banlangen (Isatis root)?

Banlangen is a traditional Chinese medicine preparation commonly used by people to prevent colds. What is generally sold on the market is Banlangen granules, which can be taken by mixing with water. The effects and functions of Banlangen are as follows:

Effects of Banlangen

1. Clearing heat and detoxifying

Banlangen has an anti-bacterial endotoxin effect. Bacterial endotoxin is what traditional Chinese medicine calls "heat toxin", mainly the toxin released after bacteria are killed. Research has found that the organic acids, alkaloids, nucleosides and many other types of chemical components contained in Banlangen can directly neutralize and degrade endotoxins or destroy the normal structure of bacterial endotoxins, while also inhibiting the synthesis and excessive release of inflammatory mediators induced by endotoxins. Banlangen has the effects of resisting oxygen free radicals and enhancing immunity.

2. Antibacterial and antiviral

Banlangen has a bactericidal effect on many kinds of bacteria. The water immersion liquid of Banlangen has an inhibitory effect on Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Sarcina octamer, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Salmonella paratyphi A, dysentery (Shigella, Flexner) bacilli, enteritis bacilli, etc.; the acetone extract also has a similar effect, and is effective against hemolytic streptococcus (all using the agar well plate method). Its antibacterial effect on meningococcus type A is similar to that of garlic and honeysuckle. It has a clear inhibitory effect on influenza virus PR8 strain and Jingke 68-1 strain. In test tubes, Banlangen has the effect of killing Leptospira.

Traditional Chinese medicine proven formulas of Banlangen

① For the prevention and treatment of epidemic Japanese encephalitis B, for prevention use 3 qian of Banlangen decocted and taken, 1 dose per day, taken continuously for 5 days.

For treatment, use 50% or 200% Banlangen injection, 2 milliliters each time by intramuscular injection, 2 to 3 times per day.

Or use Banlangen decocted and taken; for comatose patients, administer by nasal feeding. For those under 12 years old, 2 liang per day; for those over 13 years old, 2 to 4 liang, taken in one dose or divided into 2 doses, taken continuously for 2 to 3 weeks; it may also be taken once every 2 hours, with adults using 2 to 2.5 qian each time, and those under 15 years old using 1 to 2 qian. After body temperature drops to normal, the dosage and frequency should be reduced as appropriate, and the medication stopped after 2 days.

During treatment, necessary acupuncture, Western medicine and other symptomatic treatments and supportive therapy should be coordinated.

Clinically, Banlangen has obvious effects in clearing heat and cooling blood, and in resisting viruses and bacteria. Its dosage is large, and it can be called the most used among Chinese patent medicines. Research results show that Banlangen has a significant effect in removing pyrogens in the body that can cause body temperature to rise, and this active substance has already been isolated. The fever-reducing effect of Banlangen is achieved by killing pathogens such as viruses and bacteria in the body and removing factors such as peroxide free radicals and pyrogens that cause fever. In cases of low fever, taking Chinese patent medicines such as Banlangen can not only effectively reduce fever, but also promote the body's recovery and enhance immunity and resistance. Early application, combined with symptomatic treatment, can greatly improve the therapeutic effect. According to observation of 190 cases, the cure rate was above 90%. The vast majority of cases had fever reduced within 3 days: except for particularly severe cases, clinical symptoms usually disappear after the fever subsides; a small number had sequelae, all of which were cases with persistent high fever, severe coma and convulsions during the course of the disease.

② For the prevention and treatment of epidemic mumps, use 2 to 4 liang of Banlangen, halved for children, decocted and taken, 1 dose per day.

At the same time, Banlangen can be made into a 30% solution and applied to the affected area. According to the observation results of 387 cases, except for 5 cases that improved and 5 cases that were ineffective, the rest were all cured. The effect was poorer for those with complications. Preventive medication was given to 11,295 person-times, and it seemed to have the effect of controlling the epidemic.

③ For treating colds (including influenza), use 100% Banlangen injection by intramuscular injection, 1 to 6 milliliters each time depending on age and condition, 2 to 4 times per day. In treating 80 cases, 78 were cured and 2 were ineffective (including 1 case complicated with pneumonia). Generally, fever subsides in 1 to 3 days, and symptoms disappear in 2 to 5 days.

④ For treating infectious hepatitis, use 1 liang of Banlangen, decocted and taken, 1 dose per day; or use 6 jin of Banlangen and 3 jin of dandelion, with an appropriate amount of sugar, made into 1000 milliliters of decoction, taken twice a day, 50 milliliters each time, with 15 to 20 days as one course of treatment. The single-herb decoction treated 8 cases and all achieved results; the average time for symptom disappearance was 6 days, for liver function recovery was 15.7 days, and for liver shrinkage was 13 days. The therapeutic effect was superior to the Yinchenhao Tang control group. The compound decoction treated 50 cases; after one course of treatment, 50% of cases had liver function return to normal, and after the first and second courses cumulatively, 92% had liver function return to normal.

Side effects of Banlangen

1. Some people drink Banlangen granules as tea to prevent colds, or use Banlangen to treat a cold whenever they have one. In fact, Banlangen cannot prevent and treat all colds, and is especially unsuitable for wind-cold type colds and yin deficiency colds.

2. Healthy people taking too much Banlangen will damage the spleen and stomach. Long-term oral use can cause decreased appetite, weight loss, mental fatigue and reduced movement, clear drooling, diarrhea, abdominal pain, abdominal distension, etc.

3. Young children taking too much bitter-cold Banlangen will damage stomach qi. When children take Banlangen, adult dosages should not be used, and long-term high-dose use should especially be avoided.

4. People with a deficient-cold constitution, who are usually afraid of cold, have disharmony of the spleen and stomach, and are prone to diarrhea, are even less suitable to use Banlangen granules to prevent colds, otherwise it can lead to symptoms such as aversion to cold, stomach pain, and loss of appetite.

5. Banlangen can also cause skin allergic reactions and adverse reactions in the digestive and hematopoietic systems. The allergic reactions caused by Banlangen injection are mainly dizziness and blurred vision, chest tightness, shortness of breath, vomiting, bluish-purple face and lips, conjunctival congestion, distending pain in both eyes, palpitations, irritability, numbness of the limbs, generalized skin flushing, itching, rash or urticaria, and in severe cases can cause anaphylactic shock and even endanger life.

Long-term oral use can cause decreased appetite, weight loss, mental fatigue and reduced movement, clear drooling, diarrhea, abdominal pain, abdominal distension, etc.

3. Young children taking too much bitter-cold Banlangen will damage stomach qi. When children take Banlangen, adult dosages should not be used, and long-term high-dose use should especially be avoided.

4. People with a deficient-cold constitution, who are usually afraid of cold, have disharmony of the spleen and stomach, and are prone to diarrhea, are even less suitable to use Banlangen granules to prevent colds, otherwise it can lead to symptoms such as aversion to cold, stomach pain, and loss of appetite.

5. Banlangen can also cause skin allergic reactions and adverse reactions in the digestive and hematopoietic systems. The allergic reactions caused by Banlangen injection are mainly dizziness and blurred vision, chest tightness, shortness of breath, vomiting, bluish-purple face and lips, conjunctival congestion, distending pain in both eyes, palpitations, irritability, numbness of the limbs, generalized skin flushing, itching, rash or urticaria, and in severe cases can cause anaphylactic shock and even endanger life.