Properties: Sweet, neutral
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Spleen and Stomach
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Remove Toxicity and disperses swelling
Sores and boils, scalds, bee stings
Pulmonary abscess, asthma
Post-addiction, especially opioids (Bao Xiang'ao, Qing dynasty, who attributed addictions to parasites, 蟲 Chong which cause the cravings to re-emerge, Wilcox, 2025)
Suggested Daily Dosage: Cooked for eating or pounded into juice.
Cautions: It is contraindicated in case of retention of dampness due to stagnation of qi. Do not eat too much.
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.
