Properties: Pungent, bitter, cooling
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Spleen, Stomach, Heart, Lung
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Regulates Qi and Blood
Pain, tension, adhesions, wounds, sores and scars
Digestive disorders
Skin problems
Cold hands and feet
Restlessness and irritability
- Releases the Exterior
External pathogenic factors
Wind-Heat Bi Syndrome, inflamed and painful joints and muscles
- Disseminates Yang Qi bewteen the Wei and Yuan levels via the Back-Shu points and clears Excess Heat
Clears Heat where there is excess and brings Yang Qi to where the is deficiency
Childhood seizures, shock
Depression, anxiety, lack of courage
Suggested Daily Dosage: Usually used externally as Gua Sha tools, especially on the back. Occasionally taken as an elixir for high blood pressure.
Cautions: For short term use in acute conditions only. It may cause healing crisis. Do not place in the centre of the chest or abdomen for those with anxiety as it warms and stimulates the area further.
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.
