Properties: Sweet, acrid, warm
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Stomach, Spleen
Extraordinary Vessels: Yin Wei, Du
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Regulates Qi and alleviates pain, harmonises the Stomach and fortifies the Spleen
Stomachache, loss of appetite, vomiting
Distention, fullness and oppression in chest and abdomen
Headache
Hysteria
Cough
Modern studies on the volatile oils and indications from Ayurveda and Unani medicine include palpitations, especially from arrythmia or tachycardia, hypertension, angina pectoris, anxiety, insomnia, memory loss, stress, seizures and menstrual problems which may be attributes to the Spleen's functions of managing the Blood and housing the Yi. See notes below.
- Expels Cold and unblocks Stagnation (topical)
Fungal infections, hair loss, sores and boils
Toothache
Foot Qi
Haemorrhoids, varicose veins
Suggested Daily Dosage: 3-6g in decoction.
Cautions: Caution with Qi deficiency, Blood-Heat and Blood deficiency due to its warm, pungent, dispersing nature.
Notable Constituents:
- Ursolic acid
Pentacyclic triterpenoid with anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, antiviral, serum lipid-lowering, and antineoplastic activities.
- Octacosanol
Ultra-long-chain primary fatty alcohol with cholesterol-lowering, antiaggregatory, cytoprotective and and ergogenic properties that has been studied as a potential treatment for Parkinson's disease.
- Oleanolic acid
Pentacyclic triterpenoid with hepatoprotective, antitumor and antiviral properties.
- Beta-sitosterol
Phytosterol with anticholesteremic and antioxidant activity that reduces side-effects of radiation-induced toxicity.
- Acaciin / Linarin
- Kanshone A
- Nardosinonediol
- Nardosinone
Notes:
Although not a major herb in Chinese medicine it has a rich tradition in Ayurvedic and Unani systems where it is used as a cardiovascular and neurological tonic, antispasmodic and mental adaptogen, used to treat hysteria, convulsions, epilepsy, insomnia, poor memory, circulatory, and mental disorders. (Chauhan, 2019; Drugs.com, 2021). These uses explain its actions in patent formulas for cardiovascular diseases such as Shensong Yangxin and Wenxin Keli and may relate more to its essential oil which is said to enter the Heart and Liver to Tonify Heart Yin and Subdue Wind, or by its traditional indications as disorders relating to the Spleen not managing the Blood, or affecting the Yi, or as properties of the essential oils which may enter the Heart and Liver, or as affecting the Yin Wei or Du Mai.
Appears in 2 formulae listed on this site: (click to display)
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.
