Properties: Bitter, cold, toxic
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Liver, Stomach and Large Intestine
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Clears Heat and drains Dampness, purges Fire and resolves Toxicity
Dysentery or constipation due to Damp-Heat, epigastric or abdominal discomfort and distention, reduced appetite
Hepatobiliary disorders, intolerances to fatty foods or medications
Hot-Damp skin disorders, sores and boils, eczema, jaundice, red eyes, ear discharge
Damp-Heat arthritis
Irritability and anger, headache and depression
Acute bronchitis with barking cough, thick yellow or green sputum, fever, thirst, sore throat and irritability
Recurring low grade fever, postfebrile debility
- Disperses Blood Stasis
Potential adjunctive use for various cardiovascular disorders
Bruises
Suggested Daily Dosage: 0.5-30g in decoction or soaked in wine.
Cautions: It is contraindicated for deficiency-cold in spleen and stomach.
Notable Constituents:
- Berberine
Alkaloid with antibiotic, anti-fungal, antidiarrheal, antilipemic, hypoglycemic and antioxidant properties. It also functions as a potassium channel blocker and an antineoplastic agent, among other things. It is slowly soluble in water.
Notes:
Many indications are taken from Ross (2010) Combining Western Herbs and Chinese Medicine, TCM Wiki and Baidu Encyclopedia
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.
