A plant of the grape family, Ampelopsis Japonica (Bai Lian) features a bitter-sweet flavor with a cool and moist character. According to the Shennong Ben Cao Jing, it is chiefly used to treat abscesses, boils, and lumps; to disperse accumulations; and to relieve pain and heat. Entering the heart and stomach meridians, it is believed to clear heat and detoxify, disperse nodules, and reduce swelling—offering marked benefits for inflammatory skin conditions caused by heat toxicity. Ancient texts even record its ability to brighten and remove blemishes, and today Bai Lian is often incorporated into skincare formulations to improve uneven pigmentation and restore the skin barrier.