Properties: Bitter, cool
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Heart, Liver
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Calms the Shen
Nervous tension, anxiety, excitibility
Insomnia, restlessness
Depression, long term mental and physical exhaustion
Nervous bedwetting
- Stops pain
Neuropathy
Aches from exhaustion
Toothache (use fresh juice)
- Clears Heat and drains Dampness
Liver and Bladder diseases
Fever
Urinary incontinence
Externally for headlice
Suggested Daily Dosage: 12-18g in decoction.
Cautions: Do not use during pregnancy and lactation.
Notable Constituents:
- Protopine
Soporific antihistamine and opioid analgesic
- Allocryptopine
Soporific alkaloid also thought responsible for sedative effects
- Berberine
Antibiotic, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic and anti-diarrheal alkaloid with potential use as an antilipemic drug, a hypoglycemic agent, an antioxidant, a potassium channel blocker and an antineoplastic agent among others. It is slowly soluble in water.
- Sanguinarine
Benzophenanthridine alkaloid, an alkaloid antibiotic and a botanical anti-fungal agent.
Notes:
Information has been taken from Zhou, Xie, & Yan (2007) Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicines and https://www.therapeutika.ch/Eschscholzia+californica.
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.
