Properties: Acrid, warm, very toxic
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Heart, Lung, Large Intestine, Small Intestine
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Dispels Wind and attacks Toxins, disperses swelling and alleviates pain
Carcinoma, especially of the nose
Eczema, psoriasis, neurodermatitis, tinea, myiasis
Scabs, boils, clove sores, ulcers
Scrofula, toxic swellings
Neuralgia
Wind-Damp Bi syndrome
Knocks and falls (Dai Da)
Suggested Daily Dosage: 0.1g to 0.15g. Usually for external use only, In the UK the maximum dose permitted by the MHRA is 25mg per dose and 75mg per day.
Cautions: Whole plant is toxic. It is usually for external use only. The young leaves are especially toxic.
There is no effective antidote. The commonly used therapy is gastric lavage, promoting vomiting and diarrhea.
Notable Constituents:
- Gelsemine, koumine, gelsenicine and gelsevirine
Indole alkaloids responsible for much of the pharmacological and toxic effects of this plant.
Jin et al (2014) review all the constituents in the
Gelsemium genus.
Notes:
Main TCM information is taken from Alternativehealing.org with traditional actions and indications from Zhou, Xie & Yan (2011), Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicines Vol 5., p. 453.
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.
