Properties: Toxic, bitter
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Lung, Stomach
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Expels Phlegm and Gui through vomiting and pacifies the Po
Smoking cessation
Traditionally used as an emetic
Suggested Daily Dosage: Generally given as an extract in 1.5mg capsules with a tapering regimen that can be found at Karnieg & Wang (2018).
Cautions: All parts of the plant are toxic. Not recommend except as standardised extract.
Notable Constituents:
- Cytisine
Alkaloid with partial nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist activity that is used as smoking cessation aid in Eastern Europe. Large doses can interfere with breathing and cause death.
Notes:
There is no information from Chinese sources but accounts on its use as an emetic and its ability to treat smoking addiction has made me draw the judgement that its use would be to expel malevolent forces that compel us act in ways to shorten our lifespan such as Gui / Ghosts, Sanshi / Three Corpse Posession and Po / the Corporeal Soul. These are often classed as Phlegm misting the Heart in TCM.
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.
