Properties: Bitter, cool
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Liver and Spleen
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Invigorates the Blood, reduces abdominal masses, cools the Blood and unblocks the menses
Dysmenorrhea or amenorrhea due to Blood Stasis
Abdominal masses (can be used as a stand-alone herb in decoction chased by warm wine)
- Clears Heat and resolves toxicity
Severe sore throat, throat Bi, and other accumulations of Heat toxin including breast abscess (use the macerated fresh herb)
- Facilitates urination and check malarial disorders
Internal blockage of Dampness with oedema or ascites
Malarial disorders (use the fresh juice)
- Promotes urination and reduces oedema
Edema, ascites and water accumulation during the later stages of parasitic infections
Suggested Daily Dosage: 15-30g in decoction.
Cautions: It is contraindicated to pregnant women.
Appears in 4 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, 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.
