Properties: Pungent, bitter, neutral
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Liver and Spleen
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Forcefully breaks up Blood Stasis, regulates Qi and alleviates pain
Blood Stasis with amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, postpartum abdominal pain and abdominal masses
- Dissolves accumulations
Food Stagnation and Qi Stagnation with severe abdominal pain and distention
- Regulates menstruation
Menstrual irregularities
- Promotes lactation
Agalactia
- Suppresses Gu parasites
Gu Syndrome with Blood Stasis (Fruehauf, 1998)
Chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)
Suggested Daily Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.
Cautions: Same as E Zhu. This herb is drastic in property with the disadvantage of consuming qi and impairing blood. Do not overtake long. Prohibited for pregnant women and during menstrual periods.
Appears in 10 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, 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.
