Properties: Bitter, sour, sweet, slightly cold
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Spleen and Liver
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Nourishes the Blood and regulates menstruation
Liver Blood Deficiency with menstrual dysfunction, vaginal discharge and uterine bleeding accompanied by a pale face, a lusterless complexion and dull, lusterless nails
Anemia
Breast distention and premenstrual syndrome
- Astringes Yin and adjusts the Ying and Wei
Yin Deficiency sweating
Sweating due to Yin Collapse
Disharmony between the Liver and Spleen Disharmony between the Ying and Wei with non-productive sweating
- Calms Liver Yang and Liver Wind and alleviates pain
Liver Qi Stagnation with Liver Yang Rising
Liver Wind with Yin and Blood Deficiency
Bi syndrome due to Blood Deficiency with pain and spasms
- Softens the Liver and relieves pain
Diarrhoea, borborygmus and abdominal pain
Dysenteric disorders with tenesmus
- Expels Gu Parasites
Chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)
Suggested Daily Dosage: 10-30g in decoction.
Notable Constituents:
- Paeoniflorin
A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory compound. It may also inhibit testosterone and protect against neuroinflammation and depression-like behaviour (currently only demonstrated in rats). Found in most species of peony.
- Albiflorin
A monoterpene glycoside and neuroprotective agent.
- Trans-Resveratrol
Substance found in red grapes suspected to be responsible for the health benefits of red wine. It has been proposed as a treatment for hyperlipidemia, prevention of fatty liver, diabetes, atherosclerosis and aging. Also being investigated for the treatment of Herpes labialis infections (cold sores) and spinocerebellar ataxia.
- Epsilon-Viniferin
Derived from trans-resveratrol
- Cis-epsilon-Viniferin
Derived from a cis-resveratrol
- Resveratroloside
Tyrosinase inhibiting compound used for anti-melanogenic effects and cosmetic purposes. Highest in the seeds (Rainer et al, 2019).
- Gnetin H
Stilbene resveratrol oligomer that may have antineoplastic effects (Yang et al, 2019).
- Suffruticosol A
Stilbene resveratrol oligomer that may have antineoplastic effects (Yang et al, 2019).
- Suffruticosol B
Stilbene resveratrol oligomer that may have antineoplastic effects (Yang et al, 2019).
- Anthrocyanins
Determines the colour of the flowers so higher in red species.
- Oleanic Acid
Found in the leaves rather the root.
- Ursolic Acid
Found in the leaves rather the root.
Appears in 12 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, 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.
