Natural Herb Library

Mile Swertia Herb

Chinese
青叶胆
Pinyin
Qing Ye Dan
Latin
Herba Swertiae
Botanical illustration of Mile Swertia Herb, Swertia mileensis, showing habit, leaves, flower, capsule fruit, seed, root, and diagnostic plant details.
Botanical plate by Kodi . View print →

Known in TCM as Qing Ye Dan (青叶胆), this bitter, cold herb enters the Liver, Gallbladder, and Stomach. Traditionally, it clears Damp-Heat from the Liver and Gallbladder, most often applied for hepatitis, jaundice, and cholecystitis. Modern research has identified Swerilactones among its active constituents.

Part used: Whole herb

Also Known As

Swertia

Latin: Herba Swertiae | Pinyin: Qing Ye Dan | Chinese: 青叶胆

TCM Properties

Taste
bitter
Temperature
cold
Channels
Liver, Gallbladder, Stomach

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Clears Damp-Heat from the Liver and Gallbladder … primary herb for infectious and viral hepatitis
  • Reduces jaundice and promotes bile flow in cholecystitis
  • Clears Heat and resolves toxicity
  • Cools the Stomach and relieves Stomach Heat … bitter, cold, and drying

Secondary Actions

  • Anti-hepatitis B … swerilactone constituents inhibit HBsAg and HBeAg secretion
  • Hypoglycemic … swerchirin stimulates insulin release; folk use for diabetes

Classical References

  • Qing Ye Dan (青叶胆, 'Blue-Leaf Bile Herb') … named for its intensely bitter, bile-like taste and its primary Liver-Gallbladder Damp-Heat indication; used in Yunnan provincial medicine and listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia
  • NOTE: Swertia mileensis is now listed as a nationally protected and at-risk plant in China due to over-harvesting for medicinal use; commercially available preparations must use sustainably cultivated or pharmacopoeial-substitute material (S. cincta or other approved species)

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Swerilactones A–P (novel pentacyclic and secoiridoid lactones unique to S. mileensis; anti-HBV principal actives)
  • Swerchirin (1,8-dihydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyxanthone; hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, antimalarial xanthone)
  • Sweroside (iridoid glycoside; bitter principle)
  • Gentiopicroside (iridoid glycoside; shared with gentian)
  • Mangiferin (C-glucosyl xanthone; antioxidant, anti-inflammatory)
  • Oleanolic acid (triterpenoid; hepatoprotective)

Studied Effects

  • Anti-HBV: Swerilactones A and B … novel lactones with an unprecedented 6/6/6/6/6 pentacyclic ring system … showed inhibitory activities against HBsAg and HBeAg secretion in HepG2.2.15 cells; swerilactones C and D confirmed IC50 = 1.24 and 2.96 mM (HBsAg) … provides mechanistic basis for hepatitis B folk application (PMIDs 19673486, 19863146)
  • Hepatoprotective: swerchirin significantly reduced paracetamol-induced elevations of AST, ALT, and ALP in mouse models, restoring liver enzyme markers toward normal … consistent with the classical Damp-Heat jaundice indication (PMID 16451758)
  • Comprehensive genus review (Swertia L.): 37 species systematically reviewed; xanthones and iridoids confirmed as principal hepatoprotective and antimalarial compound classes; anti-HBV activity of S. mileensis-specific swerilactones highlighted as unique within the genus (PMID 37143212)

PubMed References

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

  • Cold-Damp jaundice or hepatitis (no fever, cold abdomen, pale complexion, watery stools)
  • Spleen-Stomach Deficiency Cold … bitter, cold herb; avoid in weak digestive constitutions

Cautions

  • Standard dose 6–15g decoction
  • Swerchirin may have hypoglycemic effects … monitor blood glucose in diabetic patients or those on antidiabetic medications; potential additive effect
  • Conservation status: S. mileensis is a protected species in Yunnan; verify source is from licensed cultivation, not wild harvest

Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mile Swertia Herb used for?

Mile Swertia Herb is traditionally used to Clears Damp-Heat from the Liver and Gallbladder … primary herb for infectious and viral hepatitis, Reduces jaundice and promotes bile flow in cholecystitis, Clears Heat and resolves toxicity, Cools the Stomach and relieves Stomach Heat … bitter, cold, and drying. Research has investigated its effects on: Anti-HBV: Swerilactones A and B … novel lactones with an unprecedented 6/6/6/6/6 pentacyclic ring system … showed inhibitory activities against HBsAg and HBeAg secretion in HepG2.2.15 cells; swerilactones C and D confirmed IC50 = 1.24 and 2.96 mM (HBsAg) … provides mechanistic basis for hepatitis B folk application (PMIDs 19673486, 19863146); Hepatoprotective: swerchirin significantly reduced paracetamol-induced elevations of AST, ALT, and ALP in mouse models, restoring liver enzyme markers toward normal … consistent with the classical Damp-Heat jaundice indication (PMID 16451758).

What are other names for Mile Swertia Herb?

Mile Swertia Herb is also known as Swertia. In TCM: 青叶胆 (Qing Ye Dan); Herba Swertiae.

Is Mile Swertia Herb safe during pregnancy?

The safety of Mile Swertia Herb during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.

What are the contraindications for Mile Swertia Herb?

Mile Swertia Herb should not be used in: Cold-Damp jaundice or hepatitis (no fever, cold abdomen, pale complexion, watery stools); Spleen-Stomach Deficiency Cold … bitter, cold herb; avoid in weak digestive constitutions. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.