Pinyin: Hu Zhang  Chinese: 虎杖
Pharmaceutical: Rhizoma Polygoni cuspidati
Taxonomy: Polygonum cuspidatum
English: Japanese Knotweed Root

Tastes: Bitter and cold
Meridians Entered: Liver, Gallbladder and Lung

Actions & Indications:

1. Invigorates the Blood, dispels Blood Stasis, unblocks the channels and stops pain
   Amenorrhea due to Blood Stasis
   Wind-Damp Bi
   Traumatic injury
2. Clears Heat and resolves Dampness
   Damp-Heat jaundice
   Turbid vaginal discharge
   Turbid, painful urinary dysfunction
3. Discharges toxins and disperses swelling
   Toxic skin conditions, burns and carbuncles
4. Drains Heat, transforms Phlegm and stops cough
   Lung Heat cough
   Constipation due to clumping of Heat

Standard Dosage: 9-15g in decoction.
Cautions: It is contraindicated for pregnant women.

Caution should also be taken if growing or wild foraging as careless harvesting can encourage propagation which is illegal in the UK due to the extreme invasive nature and damage to property values and biodiversity that this plant can do.

Pinyin: Tao Zhi  Chinese: 桃枝
Pharmaceutical: Ramulus Pruni
Taxonomy: Prunus persica
English: Peach Twig

Tastes: Bitter, neutral
Meridians Entered: Heart and Liver

Actions & Indications:

1. Invigorates the Blood and dredges the Channels
   Traumatic injury, joint pain, arthritis
   Stabbing pain in the chest and abdomen
2. Resolves Toxicity and kills parasites
   Sores
   Ringworm

Standard Dosage: 9-15g in decoction.

Pinyin: Liu Zhi  Chinese: 柳枝
Pharmaceutical: Ramulus Salicae
Taxonomy: Salix babylonica
English: Babylonian Weeping Willow Twig

Tastes: Bitter, cold
Meridians Entered: Stomach and Liver

Actions & Indications:

1. Dispels Wind and drains Dampness
   Wind-Damp Bi, arthritis
2. Promotes urination
   Difficult urination, white turbid urine
3. Resolves Toxicity and reduces swelling
   Wind Swelling, clove sores, rashes, doop-rooted boils
   Tooth decay, swollen gums

Standard Dosage: 15-30g in decoction.
Cautions: Avoid in those with sensitivity to aspirin, gastrointestinal problems or on blood thinning medications or clotting disorders.

Pinyin: Sang Zhi  Chinese: 桑枝
Pharmaceutical: Ramulus Mori
Taxonomy: Morus alba
English: Mulberry Twig

Tastes: Slightly bitter, mild
Meridians Entered: Liver

Actions & Indications:

1. Dispels Wind-Dampness, unblocks the channels and collaterals, benefits the joints and stops spasms
   Wind-Damp with spasms, especially warm Bi in the upper extremities
   Numbness in the extremities or hemiplegia as sequelae for Wind-Stroke
2. Promotes diuresis and reduces oedema (regulates water metabolism)
   Edema especially when accompanied by joint pain

Standard Dosage: 9-30g in decoction.

Pinyin: Huai Zhi  Chinese: 槐枝
Pharmaceutical: Ramulus Sophorae japonica
Taxonomy: Sophora japonica
English: Japanese Pagodatree Twig

Tastes: Bitter, neutral
Meridians Entered: Heart and Liver

Actions & Indications:

1. Dispels Wind, clears Heat, dries Dampness and breaks up Blood Stasis
   Wind-Damp-Heat Bi
   Hot eyes
   Haemorrhoids
   Uterine bleeding, leucohrrhoea
   Chest pain
2. Kills Parasites
   Scabies

Standard Dosage: 15-30g in decoction.