Properties: Pungent, warm
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Lung and Stomach
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Warms the Lungs, regulates Qi and expels Phlegm
Accumulation of Cold-Phlegm with cough with copious thin sputum, chest distention and pain, especially in chronic disorders
Main ingredient of San Fu Moxibustion (三伏灸) where it is ground, mixed with ginger juice and other herbs, and applied topically for the irritant properties to replace the heat of lighted herbs. It is done to treat respiratory disorders that get worse in winter and performed on the three Fu (Yang Metal) days over the 3 months of summer.
- Promotes Qi movement, dissipates nodules, unblocks the collaterals and alleviates pain
Phlegm-Dampness Accumulating in the Channels
Yin flat abscess
Spreading sores Phlegm nodules (scrofula)
Suggested Daily Dosage: 3-6g in decoction.
Cautions: This herb has strong stimulation to the skin mucosa and will easily cause redness swelling and blisters. Therefore, it is prohibited for those with digestive tract ulcer and bleeding and skin allergies. Do not use in high doses.
Notable Constituents:
- Allyl Isothiocyanate
Volatile organic compound that gives mustard its characteristic pungent flavour.
- Erucic acid
Monounsaturated oil that comprises 42% of the fatty component which is known to have toxic effects on the heart at high enough doses whoch has causes many governments to restrict the use of mustard oil internally.
- Oleic acid
Monounsaturated oil that comprises 12% of the fatty component and thought to be the component of olive oil responsible for its hypotensive effects.
- Alpha-linoleic acid
Polyunsaturated Omega-3 fatty acid that comprises 6% of the fatty component which has protective effects on the heart and may counter the effects of the erucic acid.
- Linoleic acid
Polyunsaturated Omega-6 fatty acid that comprises 15% of the fatty component.
Appears in 7 formulae listed on this site: (click to display)
Research Links & References: (click to display)
Research Links:
Reference Notes:
Individual herb information has sourced mainly from TCM Wiki and American Dragon for basic data and then updated manually with my own notes. Zhou, Xie and Yan (2011): Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Vol. 5, has been used for entries not available from those sources with additional material searched for and filled in where available. Western herbs not appearing in the Chinese literature have used Ross (2010): Combining Western Herbs and Chinese Medicine: A Clinical Materia Medica, White Rabbit Institute of Healing and therapeutika.ch. Choices of which source to use or combine have been my own.
These pages are intended to assist clinicians and are not intended for self-diagnosis or treatment for which a qualified professional should be consulted. Actions and indications are taken from traditional uses and do not necessarily reflect the evidence base which should be researched independently. Dosages are for guidance only and will vary dependening on the potency of the batch and the tolerance of the individual so should be evaluated by a professional based on individual needs.
