Properties: Pungent, bitter, neutral, toxic
Meridans Entered:
Primary: None given
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Clears the Lung, releives cough and transforms Phlegm
Cough and asthma with abundant and sticky phlegm
Suggested Daily Dosage: 1-6g in decoction. See cautions regarding toxicity of rhododendrons.
Cautions: Large doses and prolonged use due to presence of Grayanotoxins found in all rhododendron species. Symptoms begin up to 3 hours after consumption and include neurological, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal signs such as nausea, vomiting, salivation, headache, blurred or double vision, sweating, weakness, hypotension, slow heart rate, fainting, drowsiness, drunkenness, hallucinations, seizures and death. BhaduriHauck (2016) estimates the lethal dose at 0.2% body weight, or approx 150g for a 75kg adult but adverse effects may be reported much sooner. There is no antidote but cardiovascular effects are usually treated with atropine, from belladonna, henbane or datura species.
Notable Constituents: - Hyperoside
Quercetin glycoside with antibacterial, hepatoprotective and antitumour activity.
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.
