Properties: Bitter, cool, slightly toxic
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Liver, Kidney
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Calms the Shen and soothes the nerves
- Clears Heat, resolves toxicity, cools the Blood and subdues hyperactivity of Liver Yang and lowers blood pressure
Malignant tumors, leukemia, lymphosarcoma, hypertension
Diabetes mellitus, primary thrombocytopenic purpura, swelling toxin of welling abscesses, sores and scalds
Suggested Daily Dosage: 9-15g in decoction.
Notable Constituents:
- Vinca alkaloids: vinblastine, vinorelbine, vincristine & vindesine
A set of anti-mitotic and anti-microtubule alkaloids that block beta-tubulin polymerization in a dividing cell. Currently used in cancer therapy and was one of the first discovered chemotherapy agents.
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, 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.
