Properties: Bitter, acrid, cold, toxic
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Heart and Liver
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Clears the Heart and calms the Shen
Fatigued spirit and dizziness
- Rectifies Qi and regulates menstruation
Menstrual disorders, especially accompanied by psychological disturbance.
- Resolves toxicity and repel foulness
Dysentery
Swelling of sores
Suggested Daily Dosage: 1.5-6g as powder, gradually increasing to get therapeutic effect while monitoring for side effects. Also applied externally.
Cautions: Poisoning symptoms include vomiting, abdominal pain, rapid pulse, cold sweat, diarrhea, irregular breathing, rising body temperature, lethargy, collapse, etc. In severe cases, convulsions, paralysis and death occur.
Notable Constituents:
- Galanthamine
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor used in the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease.
- Lycorine
Alkaloid responsible for the toxicity of narcissus species found mainly in the bulbs but also in all parts of the plant. It has been researched for antibacterial, antiviral, or anti-inflammatory effects and possible anticancer properties for which derivatives with lower toxicity are being researched as potential anti-cancer agents in humans.
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.
