Properties: Pungent, sweet, warm
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Spleen, Liver
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Dispels Wind and eliminates Dampness
Wind-Damp Bi Syndromes
Taxation-Deficiency lumbar pain
- Invigorates Blood and disperses Stasis
Sprained muscles, injury from knocks and falls
Hemiplegia
Stomach pain
Oedema
- Stops bleeding
Bleeding due to external injury
Suggested Daily Dosage: 15-30g in decoction, or soaked in wine, or applied externally.
Notable Constituents:
- Safrole
Benzodioxole found in several plants but abundant in sassafras oil where it constitutes around 2% of the root
It has insecticidal and topical antiseptic properties it was previously widespread in perfumes, soaps and as a food additive, but has shown some mild carcinogenic properties in rats resulting in its ban. It can also he used as a precursor to ecstasy/MDMA which is probably the reason the ban has remained, despite its risk to humans being considered insignificant.
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.
