Properties: Bitter, cold
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Liver, Spleen, Kidney
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Directs Stomach Qi downwards and detoxifies alcohol
Upper abdominal pain, fullness, nausea and heartburn
Upset stomach after drinking alcohol
Suggested Daily Dosage: 2-9g in decoction.
Cautions: Avoid in pregnancy and small children. Do not take long term.
Notable Constituents:
- Boldine
Aporphine alkaloid with antioxidant capabilities, alpha-adrenergic antagonist activities in vascular tissue, and reported hepatoprotective, cytoprotective, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects but may be abortifacient and teratogenic in high doses.
- Ascaridole
Bicyclic monoterpenoid used as an anthelmintic drug but with considerable toxicity. It can cause irritation of skin and mucous membranes, nausea, vomiting, constipation, headache, vertigo, tinnitus, temporary deafness and blindness. Prolonged exposure induces depression of the central nervous system and delirium which may become convulsions and coma. Long-term effects include pulmonary oedema, hematuria, albuminuria and jaundice. Fatal doses were reported as one teaspoon of wormseed oil for a 14-month-old baby (at once) and daily administration of 1 mL over three weeks to a 2-year-old child. Ascaridole is also carcinogenic in rats.
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.
