Properties: Bitter, warm
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Lung, Spleen and Kidney
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Secures the Qi and astringes Jing
Chronic diarrhoea, bloody diarrhoea
Seminal emission, genital sweating
- Constrains the Lung
Chronic cough, coughing blood
- Stops bleeding
Bleeding due to external injury, toothache
Enduring sores
Suggested Daily Dosage: 6-12g in decoction.
Cautions: It is contraindicated in case of early stage of diarrhea, stagnation of damp-heat.
In the UK, this is considered an animal product due to their formation when gall wasps (Cynipidae) deposit their larvae in the Quercus infectoria tree and so are prohibited from use by herbalists under the Medicines Act 1968 ch. 67. The sour astringent qualities of Wu Wei Zi and similarity shape, texture and function of Rou Dou Kou make this combination the best substitute from the Chinese pharmacopoeia. Regular Sumac from the Middle East is also sour and contains high levels of tannins so might make a suitable substitute.
Notable Constituents: Aleppo galls have the highest naturally occurring level of tannin, approximately 50-70%, along with 2-4% each of gallic and ellagic acid that are polymerized to make tannins.
Notes:
Aleppo galls have also been used in softening leather and in making black dye and ink.
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, 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.
