Can Sedum sarmentosum clear liver fire?

Generally speaking, whether Sedum sarmentosum (Chui Pen Cao) can clear liver fire needs to be determined based on the patient's specific constitution, symptoms, and syndrome differentiation. Detailed analysis is as follows:

When a patient presents with excessive liver fire (a pattern of excess heat), Sedum sarmentosum can effectively clear liver fire. Common symptoms include headache, red eyes, bitter taste in the mouth, irritability, dark yellow urine, a red tongue with a yellow coating, etc. Sedum sarmentosum is cool in nature and possesses functions of clearing heat and detoxifying. It can directly eliminate heat pathogens from the liver and is often used as an adjunct in treating hepatitis, jaundice, or skin diseases caused by liver fire. In such cases, using Sedum sarmentosum can help relieve symptoms and restore balance.

However, if the patient has a cold-deficient constitution or presents with cold syndromes, Sedum sarmentosum may not be suitable for clearing liver fire and might even worsen the condition. Common situations include spleen and stomach weakness, diarrhea, cold intolerance, pale tongue with white coating, and other cold-deficiency symptoms; or liver fire caused by yin deficiency with fire hyperactivity rather than pure excess heat. Due to its cold-cool nature, improper use of Sedum sarmentosum may impair the yang energy of the spleen and stomach, leading to abdominal pain, diarrhea, or exacerbation of yin deficiency.

To avoid unnecessary harm to the body, it is recommended to use Sedum sarmentosum under the guidance of a qualified TCM practitioner. During treatment, it is important to cultivate healthy lifestyle habits and avoid consuming spicy and stimulating foods, such as pepper, chili peppers, garlic, etc., which may stimulate liver fire.