Properties: Sweet, pungent, neutral, toxic
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Lung and Large Intestine
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Draws Wind Evils out of the body
Applied externally as an ointment, or to support Cupping or Gua Sha therapy (Li Shizhen, 1596, in Wilcox, 2025
Hemiplegia, Bi Syndrome and one sided headache due to Wind-strike
Early stage Epidemic Diseases, use with Gua Sha to draw Wind in the Luo to the surface, followed by bleeding the rash spots (Liu Kui, 1758 in Wilcox, 2025)
- Draws Qi, Blood and Yang towards it
Prolapse of the vagina after childbirth (apply to the Dantian Qihai Ren-6, or to Baihui Du-20 along with moxa)
Retention of placenta (apply to Yongquan Ren-1 and wash off immediately after expulsion to avoid prolapse)
- Moistens the skin and kills parasites
Scabies, burns
- Powerfully drains downwards (taken internally)
Constipation, abdominal distention (caution: is considered very drastic and toxic)
Suggested Daily Dosage: Applied externally, 10-20ml internally.
Cautions: It is contraindicated in case of dyspepsia and pregnant women.
Appears in 1 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, and A+ Medical Encyclopaedia have 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.
