Properties: Acrid, bitter, cool
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Lung, Bladder, Liver
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Releases the Exterior and disperses Wind-Heat
Fever, cough and sore, red, swollen throat
- Clears Heat, resolves Toxicity and vents rashes
Edematus red rashes, erysipelas
Red eyes
Lung abscess
Sores on the upper body
Suggested Daily Dosage: 3-30g in decoction.
Cautions: Use with caution in weak, elderly or Qi deficient patients.
Unprocessed elderberries contain cyanogenic glycosides which can be reduced through heat treatment, but excessive heat treatment may reduce efficacy of other constituents.
Notes:
Information is taken from Garran (2008) Western Herbs According to Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Can be combined or used interchangeably with Elderflower at adjusted dosage.
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.
