Dense Fruit Dittany

Botanical

What is it

Dense fruit dittany (Dictamnus dasycarpus, also called Bai Xian Pi or burning bush root bark) is a perennial herb in the rue family. The root bark is used in traditional Chinese medicine for skin conditions, particularly eczema, dermatitis, and pruritus.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Skin conditions (eczema, dermatitis)

Mixed Evidence

Long traditional use; some Chinese clinical evidence for chronic urticaria and atopic dermatitis as part of multi-herb formulas. Rigorous Western trials lacking.

How it works

Dictamnus dasycarpus root bark contains alkaloids (dictamnine, gamma-fagarine, skimmianine), limonoids, sesquiterpenoids (dasycarpine), and flavonoids. These compounds have demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, antipruritic, and antifungal effects in preclinical studies. In traditional Chinese medicine, Bai Xian Pi is classified as a 'damp-heat clearing' herb and is used in oral formulas and topical preparations for various skin conditions. The furoquinoline alkaloids may contribute to phototoxic effects similar to other rue family plants.

Dosage

Traditional TCM: 6-10 g of dried root bark as decoction. Topical preparations vary.

When and how to take it

Traditional TCM formulations follow practitioner-specific protocols.

2 commercial forms

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Dried root bark (Bai Xian Pi)

Used in herbal formulas.

Traditional TCM preparation

Topical preparations

For dermatologic use.

Direct skin application

Safety

Some dictamnus alkaloids show hepatotoxicity in animal studies, and case reports of liver injury have been associated with Bai Xian Pi-containing formulations. Furoquinoline alkaloids can cause photosensitivity.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy and lactation. Avoid in people with liver disease. Consult a qualified TCM practitioner; do not self-medicate with extended courses.

Interactions

Potential hepatic interactions with hepatically metabolized drugs and other hepatotoxic agents. Caution with photosensitizing medications.

Frequently asked questions

Is dense fruit dittany safe?⌄

It carries some risk of liver injury based on case reports. Use only under qualified TCM practitioner supervision and avoid if you have liver disease.

Can I use it topically for eczema?⌄

Topical traditional preparations exist; consult a TCM practitioner for proper preparation and dosing.

References

Dense Fruit Dittany on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Dense Fruit Dittany on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Dense Fruit Dittany (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.