Properties: Sweet, warm
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Kidney, Liver and Large Intestine
Extraordinary Vessels: Chong
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Tonifies the Kidneys, replenishes Jing and strengthens the back and knees
Kidney Yang Deficiency with a Cold and painful back and knees and urinary frequency
Kidney Jing Deficiency
- Warms and astringes the Lungs, resolves cold Phlegm, arrests wheezing and helps the Kidneys grasp Qi
Lung and Kidney Deficiencies with chronic cough and wheezing that worsens with any exertion
Kidney unable to grasp Lung Qi
- Moistens the Intestines and unblocks the bowels
Constipation from Deficient Fluids and Blood
Constipation in the elderly
Constipation due to injured Fluids following a febrile disorder
Suggested Daily Dosage: 10-30g in decoction, or eaten as food.
Cautions: It is contraindicated in cases of yin deficiency with effulgent fire, cough and loose stool due to phlegm-heat.
Notable Constituents:
- Juglone
Toxic naphthoquinone and isomer of lawsone, the staining compound in henna leaf. It stunts the growth of other plants nearby by inhibiting certain enzymes necessary for mitochondrial respiration. It is used as a herbicide, a food colouring, preservative and dye for cloth, inks and cosmetics. Medicinally it is used for its antibacterial and antifungal properties and being researched a potential cytotoxic and antineoplastic agent in cancer treatments.
Appears in 7 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, 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.
