Oriental Arborvitae Leaf
Oriental Arborvitae Leaf (Ce Bai Ye): A Cooling Herb for the Blood, Lungs, and Bleeding Disorders
Introduction
Oriental Arborvitae Leaf, known as Ce Bai Ye (侧柏叶) in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is the tender, dried leaf of Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco, a cypress-like evergreen. Bitter, astringent, and cooling, Ce Bai Ye is best known for cooling the Blood, stopping bleeding, and nourishing Yin. It also clears Lung Heat and promotes healthy hair growth. In traditional herbal medicine, it’s often decocted in teas or added to formulas that address coughing up blood, nosebleeds, or bleeding from heat in the Blood.
What Is Oriental Arborvitae Leaf?
Ce Bai Ye comes from the flat, fan-shaped leaves of the Oriental Arborvitae tree, a hardy conifer found throughout China and East Asia. In TCM, it is classified as bitter and astringent in flavor, slightly cold in nature, and enters the Heart, Liver, and Large Intestine meridians. It’s typically harvested, dried, and sometimes carbonized (known as Ce Bai Ye Tan) to enhance its ability to stop bleeding.
Health Benefits of Oriental Arborvitae Leaf
Stops Bleeding and Cools the Blood
Ce Bai Ye is one of the most valued herbs for treating bleeding due to heat in the Blood. It’s used for various types of bleeding—nosebleeds, vomiting blood, blood in the stool, or uterine bleeding—especially when caused by internal heat or Blood disharmony. The carbonized form (Ce Bai Ye Tan) is particularly effective for these conditions.
Clears Lung Heat and Eases Cough
This herb helps clear heat and phlegm from the Lungs, making it useful for coughs with yellow sputum, dry throat, or coughing blood. It is often included in formulas that treat Lung Yin deficiency or chronic respiratory irritation.
Nourishes Hair and Prevents Hair Loss
In both ancient and modern herbal practice, Ce Bai Ye has been used externally and internally to strengthen hair roots and promote hair growth. It’s commonly found in herbal shampoos or tinctures for hair health and premature graying.
Cools Blood and Reduces Inflammation
Ce Bai Ye’s cooling nature helps reduce internal heat, inflammation, and irritability. It can be used in formulas to calm conditions related to excessive heat, such as mouth ulcers or red, inflamed skin.
Supports Wound Healing
When ground into powder or used as a topical wash, Ce Bai Ye can help stop bleeding from cuts or wounds and reduce inflammation. It promotes tissue regeneration when applied externally.
How to Use Oriental Arborvitae Leaf
In Herbal Preparations
Ce Bai Ye is typically decocted in water for teas or added to multi-herb formulas. A common dosage is 6–15 grams per day. To stop bleeding, use the carbonized form (Ce Bai Ye Tan). It combines well with herbs such as Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia Root) and Bai Mao Gen (Imperata Rhizome) for cooling Blood and stopping bleeding.
In External Applications
For hair care, Ce Bai Ye can be steeped in water or alcohol and applied as a hair rinse or tonic to nourish the scalp and promote hair growth. For wound care, powdered Ce Bai Ye can be applied directly to bleeding or inflamed areas.
In TCM Formulas
Ce Bai Ye is featured in formulas like Xiao Ji Yin Zi (Small Thistle Decoction) for treating Blood Heat in the urinary tract and Bai Mao Gen Tang for stopping various bleeding disorders. It’s often combined with Ai Ye (Mugwort Leaf) or Di Yu (Sanguisorba Root) to balance cooling and warming effects when stopping bleeding.
Where to Buy Oriental Arborvitae Leaf
You can find Ce Bai Ye at:
- Chinese herbal apothecaries and TCM clinics
- Asian grocery stores with herbal sections
- Online herbal retailers such as Plum Dragon Herbs, iHerb, or Amazon
Look for:
- Clean, greenish-yellow or olive-colored leaves with no mold or odor
- Uniform, well-dried leaves
- GMP-certified or lab-tested products for quality and purity
Are There Any Side Effects?
Ce Bai Ye is generally safe when used in moderation. Because it is slightly cold and bitter, it may aggravate conditions of Spleen deficiency or coldness in the stomach. Long-term or high-dose use should be guided by a licensed TCM practitioner. Pregnant women should avoid unsupervised use due to its blood-moving properties.
Conclusion
Oriental Arborvitae Leaf (Ce Bai Ye) is a cooling, blood-regulating herb that stops bleeding, clears Lung Heat, and promotes hair and skin health. Its gentle yet effective nature makes it a key ingredient in both internal formulas and topical remedies for blood-related and inflammatory conditions.
FAQs
Can I drink Ce Bai Ye tea daily?
It’s best used short-term or under practitioner guidance, as it’s cooling and may weaken digestion with long-term use.
Is Ce Bai Ye good for hair growth?
Yes. Used externally, it strengthens hair roots, promotes growth, and can reduce premature graying.
Can Ce Bai Ye help with coughing blood or nosebleeds?
Yes. It clears Lung Heat and cools the Blood, helping relieve bleeding from the nose or respiratory tract due to internal heat.