"Lobeliae chinensis Herba (ban bian lian) facilitates the removal of pathogenic water by virtue of its bland flavor, while cooling heat through its slight coldness. It also cools the blood and resolves toxicity. The accumulation of pathogenic water and dampness in the tissues of the skin leads to edema. When the fluid pathways of the Triple Burner are unable to maintain proper fluid movement, the fluids accumulate internally, leading to abdominal distention or even ascites. Lobeliae chinensis Herba (ban bian lian) can be used in combination with other herbs to promote the movement of fluids and to reduce edema. It can also be used for fire toxin accumulation causing sores, abscesses, and ulcerations, sore throat, and toxic swellings. It is particularly appropriate for skin disorders involving dampness, such as eczema, shingles, and fungal infections of the fingers and toes, as it cools the blood, clears dampness, and resolves toxicity. It is also used in treating end-stage schistosomiasis. The old materia medica texts primarily mentiion its use in the treatment of snake and insect bites, for which it was both taken internally and applied topically." Bensky: Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica, 3rd ed.*