Properties: Sweet, neutral to warm
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Spleen, Lung and Kidney
Extraordinary Vessels: Chong, Dai
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Tonifies Spleen Qi and nurtures Stomach Yin
Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency with lassitude, fatigue, loss of appetite and poor mental focus
Stomach Yin Deficiency with a dry mouth, loss of appetite, loss of taste, dry stools and abdominal distention due to Qi Stagnation
Used to be used during times of famine as a source of nutrition and appetite suppressant
- Moistens Lung Yin
Lung Qi and Yin Deficiency with a dry cough, little sputum, and cough due to consumption
Any type of cough where Dryness is significant
- Tonifies the Kidney Blood and Yin, strengthens Jing and relieves wasting and thirsting
Kidney Yin and Jing Deficiency with lower back pain, light-headedness, weakness of the lower extremities and memory loss
Often used as a less cloying alternative to Shu Di Huang as it tonifies Kidney Yin and Spleen Qi
Wasting and thirsting disorder, can be used for both weight gain in the malnourished and to stabilise blood sugars in the obese.
Irregular heart rhythms, elevated cholesterol or low immunity (low WBC) due to Blood deficiency
Developmental issues in children
- Kills Parasites and calms the spirit
One of the chief spirit calming herbs for Gu Sydnrome considered by Hua Tuo as both an energy tonic with a calming influence on meditation and as an anti-parasitic herb (Fruehauf, 1998)
Chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)
Suggested Daily Dosage: 10-15g in decoction.
Cautions: It should be used with cautions for dampness accumulation due to spleen deficiency, damp-phlegm stagnation and distending abdomen due to qi stagnation because of sticky and greasy properties.
Notes:
Associated with Daoist longevity and fasting practices since Ge Hong, Sun Si-Miao and Tao Hongjing. Modern research supports this use showing it contains a complex array of sugars, starches, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants while also being one of the most effective antifungal agents within the Chinese materia medica. This makes it an excellent support for expelling Gu parasites while supporting the hosts Qi and Yin. It's (Fruehauf, 2016).
Classically associated with the sun and Yang Qi due to the spiciness of the unprepared root (Huang Jing can even be rendered as "Essence of the Sun). Preparation reduces the heat of this herb enabling it to nourish Yin and Jing instead.
Appears in 9 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, 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.
