Individual Herbs Notebook

Du Zhong

Pharmaceutical: Cortex Eucommiae
Taxonomy: Eucommia ulmoides

Other names: Hardy Rubber Tree / Chinese Rubber Tree

Category: Herbs that Tonify Yang



Properties: Sweet, warm

Meridans Entered:
Primary: Kidney and Liver
Extraordinary Vessels: Du


Traditional Actions/Indications:
  1. Tonifies the Kidneys and Liver and strengthens the sinews and bones
    Kidney and Liver Deficiency with a weak, sore or painful lower back and knees, fatigue and urinary frequency
    Weakness of sinews and bones
  2. Aids the smooth flow of Qi and Blood
    Promotes circulation for weak sinews and bones
  3. Calms the fetus
    Deficiency Cold patterns with bleeding during pregnancy
    Prevents miscarriage when the fetus is agitated or restless and when a pregnant woman has significant back pain or presents with a deficient condition
    Threatened abortion
  4. Lowers blood pressure
    Hypertension with dizziness and light-headedness due to Liver Yang Rising
  5. Tonifies Kidney Yang
    Reproductive and urinary disorders such as impotence and incontinence
  6. Aids fasting
    Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the superior class of herbs which can, with protracted taking, make the body light and slow ageing. This may suggest it was part of supplementing the diet when engaging in an "avoiding grain" (Bigu 辟穀) fasting regime to cultivate life (Yangsheng 養生).

Suggested Daily Dosage: 10-15g in decoction.


Notes:

The gum from Eucommia has been used as a substitute for natural rubber produces.


Appears in 40 formulae listed on this site: (click to display)
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