Properties: Sweet, salty, neutral
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Stomach, Spleen, Bladder and Liver
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Drains Damp-Heat from the Lower Jiao
Bacterial, viral, fungal infections (flu, colds and yeast infections, especially candidiasis)
Arthritis and oesteomyelitis
Haemorrhoids
- Clears and Eliminates Damp-Heat from the skin
Damp-Heat skin rashes
- Dissolves Damp-Heat Toxins
Internal and external ulcers
- Invigorates Qi and Blood
Some types of tumour
Suggested Daily Dosage: 30-45g in decoction, usually in 10-15g doses taken 3x per day, or 600mg of powdered bark taken 3x per day.
Cautions: Can be toxic at higher than recommended doses provoking side effects such as nausea, vomiting and nosebleeds. It should not be used by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Interactions:
- Anticoagulants: May have additive effect causing increased change of bruising and bleeding.
Notable Constituents:
- Lapachol
Phenol derivative of Vitamin K, usually found as a yellow, skin irritating powder from the wood with strong antibiotic and disinfectant properties. Once studied as a possible treatment for some types of cancer, it is now considered too toxic for use.
Notes:
Contemporary use has seen it used to boost the immune system, protect the cardiovascular system, support the digestive tract and promote digestion, restore vitality and boost energy but traditional ethnomedical use is for acute conditions and not for long term use.
Does not appear in any formulae listed on this site
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.
