Properties: Cold, bitter, toxic
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Heart, small intestine, bladder
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Clears Heart Fire and promotes urination
Mouth sore, tongue sores
Vexation and reddish inhibited urination with burning pain
Damp-Heat Bi Syndrome
- Promotes menstruation and lactation
Leukorrhea, amenorrhea and scant breast milk
Suggested Daily Dosage: 3-6g in decoction.
Cautions: Traditionally should not be used for a long time, in Kidney deficiency or pregnancy.
This herb is prohibited from use in the UK under the banned and restricted herbal ingredients list issued by the MHRA because it contains toxic aristolochic acid.
It has also caused other herbs with similar names to be banned or treated with extra caution, especially Mu Tong (caulis akebiae) which has a similar name and functions.
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.
