Bai Hua She She Cao (Hedyotis diffusa) (Hedyotis diffusa)

Bai Hua She She Cao (Hedyotis diffusa) is a medicinal herb rather than a dietary staple, so its nutritional profile is characterized primarily by bioactive phytochemicals rather than significant macronutrient content. Macronutrients are minimal: crude protein approximately 8-12% dry weight, carbohydrates (primarily polysaccharides) approximately 15-20% dry weight including beta-glucans and acidic polysaccharides with immunomodulatory activity, crude fiber approximately 20-25% dry weight, and lipid content less than 2% dry weight. Key bioactive compounds include: iridoid glycosides (asperuloside and deacetylasperuloside at approximately 0.5-1.2% dry weight), which are primary anti-inflammatory contributors; anthraquinones (2-hydroxy-3-methylanthraquinone, 2-methyl-3-hydroxyanthraquinone) at approximately 0.1-0.3% dry weight, associated with anti-tumor activity; flavonoids including quercetin, luteolin, and kaempferol derivatives at approximately 0.8-1.5% dry weight total; ursolic acid and oleanolic acid (pentacyclic triterpenes) at approximately 0.2-0.5% dry weight; p-coumaric acid and other phenolic acids at approximately 0.3-0.6% dry weight. Mineral content includes potassium (approximately 180-250 mg/100g dry weight), calcium (approximately 120-160 mg/100g), magnesium (approximately 40-60 mg/100g), and trace amounts of zinc and selenium. Vitamin content is limited but includes small amounts of vitamin C (approximately 5-15 mg/100g fresh weight) and beta-carotene precursors. Polysaccharide fractions (HDP-1 and HDP-2) have demonstrated enhanced bioavailability when extracted in hot water decoction. Bioavailability of iridoids is moderate and enhanced by concurrent administration with digestive enzymes. Fat-soluble compounds like ursolic acid show improved absorption when consumed with dietary fats.