Properties: Bitter, acrid, slightly sweet
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Liver, Spleen, Bladder
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Clears Liver Heat and resolves the Exterior
Damp-Heat jaundice
Liver and Gallbladder disorders
Palpitations, hypertension, heart disease
- Drains Dampness and promotes urination
Nephritis with oedema
Distending pain in the stomach duct, loss of appetite
Suggested Daily Dosage: 9-18g in decoction.
Notes:
Information is mainly taken from Zhou, Xie & Yan (2011), Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Vol 5, with additional indications from other sources.
In Chinese Herbal Medicine the aerial parts of the plant are used while in Western Herbalism it is usually the root, but sometimes the whole plant. In either case the effects seem to be similar.
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.
