Properties: Acrid, bitter, cool
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Lung, Liver, Bladder
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Clears Heat and drains Dampness
Dysentery, diarrhoea, jaundice
Nephritis, urinary tract infection
Chronic trachitis, acute tonsillitis, periodontitis
Acute mastitis
- Relieves cough and dispels Phlegm
Pneumonia
- Resolves Toxicity and disperses swelling
Swollen boils, itchy papules, scalds
Suggested Daily Dosage: 3-9g in decoction.
Notable Constituents:
- Betulinic acid
Pentacyclic triterpenoid with antiretroviral, antimalarial, and anti-inflammatory properties as well as recently discovered anticancer potential via mitochondrial pathways.
- Xylitol
Non-fermentable sugar alcohol used as a sweetener in sugar-free products found in most plants and vegetables but particularly abundant in birch and beech wood.
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.
