Properties: Bitter, pungent, cold, toxic

Meridans Entered:
Primary: Large Intestine, Lung, and Kidney

1. Drives out water through the urine and stool
   Edema associated with Excess with severe constipation and urinary difficulty
2. Reduces sores and carbuncles
   Hot type sores (topical)
3. Removes Phlegm, stops coughs and resolves lumps
   Pulmonary disorders
4. Reduces swelling and disperses nodules
   Crushed and applied topically to treat swelling and nodules
5. Resolves Evil Qi in the Heart, Expels Evil Spirits and refines the Five Zang
   Possession by the Three Worms and Crouching Corpses with disorders of overindulgence that threaten health and do not respond to regular medicines.
   The Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing says it kills ghosts and spiritual matters which may suggest it has a hallucinogenic quality or can be used to treat disorders characterised by seeing or dreaming of ghosts, demons and supernatural beings.

Suggested Daily Dosage: 5-10g in decoction.

Cautions: Due to its high toxicity it should only be used in those with severe excess and contraindicated in pregnancy or for those with a weak, deficient Stomach. The dust can cause inflammation of the eyelids, rhinitis and gastroenteritis.

Notes:

This herb was one of the few herbs that could treat the treatment of the Three Corpse Worms, until its use was replaced by the internal technique of "ingesting the five sprouts," a name used to refer to the ritual swallowing of saliva while performing meditation techniques to the five directions (Raz, 2012).