Excerpted from Bensky:  Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica, 3rd ed.

• Clears heat and resolves fire toxicity:  for any warm-heat pathogen disease or epidemic febrile outbreak.  Especially for epidemic toxin or any severe febrile disease that affects people regardless of their constitution, such as severe contagious diseases.  May be used for fire toxin anywhere in the body, especially in the throat or Lungs.  Often used for mouth ulcers and throat painful obstruction.*
• Cools the blood and dissipates maculae:  for maculae or other skin eruptions due to heat in the blood.  Often used in cases with intense fever, irritability, and change in consciousness.  Also used for vomiting of blood.*