Properties: None given
Meridans Entered:
Primary: None given
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Repels (辟) Bewitchment (妖氣) and Mountain Spirits (山魈)
Hauntings, poltergeist
Infestation by wild animals
Suggested Daily Dosage: Several dozen set off in the area at dawn and dusk, or used prophylactically in religious ceremonies, especially at New Year.
Notes:
Actions and indication taken from Li Shizhen (1596), Ben Cao Gang Mu.
山魈 also means "mandrill." Although it is unlikely that Li Shizhen was referring to west African primates, various creatures considered supernatural today may have been considered ordinary parts of nature in the 16th century while ordinary animals like foxes were thought to be magical. Most animals are scared of fireworks and will leave the area where they are set off so it stands to reason that many wild creatures whose activity would be attributed to "mountain spirits" would be driven off with firecrackers.
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.
