Stillingia sebifera vs Stellaria media

Side-by-side comparison of medicinal herbs

Herb

Stillingia sebifera

Skin and Topical

Skin and Topical

Stillingia sebifera

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Stellaria media

✅ Generally safe in pregnancy

✅ Generally safe while nursing

Description

Chinese tree whose seed coating provides vegetable tallow; used in TCM for skin diseases and cough.

Common garden weed with cooling anti-inflammatory properties; widely used for skin conditions and as food.

Active Compounds

stillingia factor, flavonoids, fatty acids, tannins, resins

saponins, flavonoids, coumarins, vitamin C, minerals

Traditional Uses

skin diseases, cough, constipation, liver, edema

eczema, psoriasis, itching, cough, constipation

Modern Uses

topical antimicrobial, expectorant, laxative, anti-inflammatory

topical anti-inflammatory, skin soothing, nutritive food

Adult Dosage

Topical application or 3-9g decoction

5-10g fresh herb or 2-3g dried tea 3x/day

Contraindications

pregnancy, internal large doses

known allergy

Side Effects

GI irritation, topical skin irritation

mild GI upset in large quantities

Drug Interactions

0 known interactions

Reviewed by: HerbAlly Editorial Team, Medical herbalists and healthcare professionals

Sources: WHO Monographs · NCCIH · PubMed · Commission E