Properties: Pungent, bitter, slightly cold
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Liver and Gallbladder
Sinews: Shaoyang
Divergent Channels: Gallbladder, Liver
Extraordinary Vessels: Yang Qiao, Dai
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Expels Wind-Dampness, opens the channels and soothes the sinews and collaterals
Wind-Damp Bi and cramping, especially in the limbs
Acute or chronic Cold disorders
- Clears Deficiency Heat
Yin Deficiency, especially with empty Fire (fever, Steaming Bone Disorder (骨蒸 Gu Zheng))
- Resolves Dampness and reduces jaundice
Damp-Heat jaundice, especially acute or infantile jaundice
- Moistens the Intestines and unblocks the bowels
Dry constipation
- Aids fasting
Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the middle class of herbs which can, with protracted taking, make the body light, render a good facial complexion, slow ageing, prolong life, and enable one to communicate with spirits. This may suggest it was part of supplementing the diet when engaging in an "avoiding grain" (Bigu 辟穀) fasting regime to cultivate life (Yangsheng 養生).
Suggested Daily Dosage: 5-10g in decoction.
Appears in 19 formulae listed on this site: (click to display)
Da Qin Jiao Tang (Major Large Gentian Decoction)
From: Collection for Preserving Life of Pathogenesis in the Simple Questions by Liu Wansu (1417)
Du Huo Ji Sheng Jiu (Pubescent Angelica and Taxillus Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang (Pubescent Angelica and Taxillus Decoction)
From: Important Formulas Worth a Thousand Gold Pieces by Sun Si Miao (650)
Guan Jie Yan Wan (Joint Obstruction Pills)
From: Aura Herbs (2020)
Huang Qi Dang Gui Jiu (Astragalus and Tangkuei Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Jia Wei Xiang Su San (Augmented Cyperus and Perilla Leaf Powder)
From: Awakening of the Mind in Medical Studies by Cheng Guo-Peng (1732)
Juan Bi Tang (Remove Painful Obstruction Decoction)
From: Awakening of the Mind in Medical Studies by Cheng Guo-Peng (1732)
Niu Xi Fu Zi Jiu (Achyranthes and Aconite Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Niu Xi Jia Pi Jiu (Achyranthes and Acanthopanax Wine (or literally "Ox Knee with Bark Wine"))
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Niu Xi Rou Gui Jiu (Achyranthes and Cinnamon Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Qin Jiao Bie Jia San (Large Gentian and Soft-Shelled Turtle Powder)
From: Precious Mirror of Health by Luo Tian-Yi (Yuan Dynasty)
Qing Gu San (Cool the Bones Powder)
From: Indispensable Tools for Pattern Treatment by Wang Ken-Tang (1602)
Ren Shen Huang Qi San (Ginseng and Astragalus Powder)
From: Precious Mirror of Health by Luo Tian-Yi (Yuan Dynasty)
San Bi Tang (Three Painful Obstruction Decoction)
From: Fine Formulas for Women (1237)
Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang (Drive Out Stasis from a Painful Body Decoction)
From: Correction of Errors Among Physicians by Wang Qing-Ren (1830)
Shu Jin Huo Xue Tang (Relax the Sinews and Invigorate the Blood Decoction)
From: Traumatology and Orthopedics in Traditional Chinese Medicine (2002)
Shu Zao Yin Zi (Dredging and Cutting Drink)
From: Formulas to Aid the Living by Yan Yong-He (1253)
Sou Feng San (Searching Wind Powder)
From: Essential Subtleties on the Silver Sea by Unknown, attributed to Sun Si Miao (Maybe composed in the Song - Ming Dynasty, published ~1579)
Sun Shang Yao Jiu (Detriment and Damage Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
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.
