Properties: Pungent, warm
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Stomach, Spleen, Small Intestine, Large Intestine
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Promotes Digestion, fortifies the Spleen and relieves Food Stagnation
Indigestion, nausea, stomachache
Bloating, flatulence, diarrhoea
Fatigue, lethargy, weakness and low appetite
Abnormal blood sugar, 消渴 Xiao Ke
Bad breath (especially the leaves)
- Regulates Blood
Menstrual cramps
Toothache
Bruises (topical)
High blood pressure
- Expels Wind and disperses Cold
Colds, flu and respiratory congestion
Bi Syndrome, sore joints and muscle aches
Suggested Daily Dosage: 3-6g in decoction.
Notable Constituents:
- Eugenol
Anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antipyretic, antioxidant, antifungal and analgesic phenolic molecule famous for being the suggested mechanism behind clove oil's use for toothache. Its exact mechanism of action is unknown, however, it has been shown to interfere with action potential conduction.
- Quercetin
Polyphenolic flavonoid with many purported health benefits ranging from antiproliferative effects to preventing cardiovascular disease, hypercholesterolemia, rheumatic diseases, infections and cancer but has not been shown to be effective in clinical trials for any medical condition.
- Gallic Acid
Phenolic acid with astringent, COX-2 inhibitory, antioxidant, antineoplastic and apoptosis inducing properties.
- Ericifolin
Phenolic compound that may have antibacterial and antineoplastic properties
Notes:
Not a commonly used spice in Chinese medicine. Most of the actions, traditional uses and constituents has been taken from Zhang & Lokeshwar (2012). Medicinal properties of the Jamaican pepper plant Pimenta dioica and Allspice. Current drug targets, 13(14), 1900-1906. https://doi.org/10.2174/138945012804545641 with additional actions and properties taken from White Rabbit, Baidu.com and Planet Ayurveda.
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.
