Natural Herb Library

Ford Nervilia Herb

Chinese
青天葵
Pinyin
Qing Tian Kui
Latin
Herba seu Rhizoma Nerviliae Fordii
Botanical illustration of Ford Nervilia Herb, Nervilia fordii, showing heart-shaped leaf, tuber, dried Qing Tian Kui material, and diagnostic plant details.
Botanical plate by Kodi .

Known in TCM as Qing Tian Kui (青天葵), this sweet and slightly bitter, cool herb enters the Lung and Liver. Traditionally, it moistens the Lung and relieves cough - Qing Tian Kui is used for lung-heat cough, dry irritated cough, and chronic pulmonary weakness with heat and blood-streaking, most often applied for cough, sore throat, and scrofula. Modern research has identified Flavonoid among its active constituents.

Part used: Whole herb

Also Known As

Nervilia Qing Tian Kui

Latin: Herba seu Rhizoma Nerviliae Fordii | Pinyin: Qing Tian Kui | Chinese: 青天葵

TCM Properties

Taste
sweet, slightly bitter
Temperature
cool
Channels
Lung, Liver

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Moistens the Lung and relieves cough - Qing Tian Kui is used for lung-heat cough, dry irritated cough, and chronic pulmonary weakness with heat and blood-streaking.
  • Clears heat and removes toxicity - traditional indications include sore throat, scrofula, sores, boils, and inflammatory mouth or throat conditions.
  • Dissipates blood stasis and alleviates pain - it is also used for traumatic injury and painful swelling.

Secondary Actions

  • The import stub called this a leaf, but the real medicinal material is usually the whole herb or herb-and-rhizome/tuber complex, so this page corrects the identity while leaving the slug untouched.
  • Qing Tian Kui is a regional southern Chinese orchid medicine with a stronger respiratory and toxin-clearing profile than its delicate appearance might suggest.

Classic Formulas

  • Qing Tian Kui with Sha Shen or Mai Men Dong - a lung-moistening pairing style for dry heat cough and throat irritation.
  • Qing Tian Kui with Xia Ku Cao or Bei Mu - traditional logic for scrofula, nodules, and lingering throat or neck heat.
  • Qing Tian Kui with San Qi or Jin Yin Hua - combinations used when trauma, swelling, and toxin overlap.

Classical References

  • Traditional references describe Qing Tian Kui as a dried whole herb or tuber-containing herb of Nervilia fordii, used to moisten Lung heat, clear toxin, and relieve pain.
  • The medicinal part correction is important here because the drug is not limited to the leaf blade alone.
  • This page keeps the identity conservative and source-driven instead of letting the misleading imported English name define the herb.

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Flavonoid glycosides including nervilifordin-type compounds - major constituents repeatedly profiled in Nervilia fordii
  • Methylated flavonols and related glycosides - prominent chemistry associated with antioxidant and antiviral investigation
  • Minor diterpenoid and coumarin constituents - supportive compounds in broader species chemistry work

Studied Effects

  • A 2021 study found that total flavonoids extracted from Nervilia fordii reduced inflammatory lung injury and improved alveolar fluid transport markers in an LPS-induced acute lung injury model, providing a meaningful modern correlate for the herb's respiratory use (PMID 34887746).
  • A 2009 chemistry study isolated new flavonol glycosides from Nervilia fordii and found antiviral activity from one known coumarin constituent against HSV-1, supporting continued interest in the herb's toxin-clearing pharmacology (PMID 19422205).
  • A 2011 HPLC study established simultaneous measurement of seven flavonoids in Nervilia fordii, reinforcing that flavonoid chemistry is central to quality control of this orchid medicine (PMID 22242457).

PubMed References

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

  • Marked deficiency-cold or chronic loose stool without heat or toxin

Cautions

  • Because Qing Tian Kui can move blood and dissipate stasis, pregnancy use should stay conservative even though strong human safety data are lacking.
  • The herb is regionally sourced and sometimes substituted with other Nervilia material, so authenticated identity matters.
  • Most modern evidence is preclinical and respiratory-model focused rather than clinical-trial level.

Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ford Nervilia Herb used for?

Ford Nervilia Herb is traditionally used to Moistens the Lung and relieves cough - Qing Tian Kui is used for lung-heat cough, dry irritated cough, and chronic pulmonary weakness with heat and blood-streaking., Clears heat and removes toxicity - traditional indications include sore throat, scrofula, sores, boils, and inflammatory mouth or throat conditions., Dissipates blood stasis and alleviates pain - it is also used for traumatic injury and painful swelling.. Research has investigated its effects on: A 2021 study found that total flavonoids extracted from Nervilia fordii reduced inflammatory lung injury and improved alveolar fluid transport markers in an LPS-induced acute lung injury model, providing a meaningful modern correlate for the herb's respiratory use (PMID 34887746).; A 2009 chemistry study isolated new flavonol glycosides from Nervilia fordii and found antiviral activity from one known coumarin constituent against HSV-1, supporting continued interest in the herb's toxin-clearing pharmacology (PMID 19422205)..

What are other names for Ford Nervilia Herb?

Ford Nervilia Herb is also known as Nervilia, Qing Tian Kui. In TCM: 青天葵 (Qing Tian Kui); Herba seu Rhizoma Nerviliae Fordii.

Is Ford Nervilia Herb safe during pregnancy?

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

What are the contraindications for Ford Nervilia Herb?

Ford Nervilia Herb should not be used in: Marked deficiency-cold or chronic loose stool without heat or toxin. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.