Properties: Sweet, salty, cold
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Heart, Liver and Kidney
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Nourish Yin and subdue Yang
Hot flashes due to Yin deficiency
Night sweats due to Steaming Bone Disorder
Dizziness due to the movement of Internal Wind
Erosion of the genitals, haemorrhoids or red and white discharge due to Kidney Yin deficiency leading to Heat and Wind in the Lower Jiao
- Benefits the Kidneys and strengthens the Bones
Weakness of muscles and bones, heaviness of the limbs
Wind-Damp Bi Syndrome
Misaligned fontanelle closing in children
- Nourishes Heart Blood
Forgetfulness
- Aids fasting
Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the middle class of animal parts which can, with protracted taking, make the body light and free from hunger. 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: 9-24g in decoction. Usually steamed in boiling water for 45 minutes or fried with sand and soaked in vinegar.
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, 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.
