Properties: Sour
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Stomach, Spleen
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Transforms Phlegm and clears Stomach Fire and regulates digestion
Obesity, high cholesterol
Excessive appetite
Diabetes (消渴 Xiao Ke)
Suggested Daily Dosage: Used in cooking, but often sold as an extract.
Notable Constituents:
- Hydroxycitric acid
Component which is extracted and put into dietary weight loss supplements. It is supposed to reduce fat absorption and increase fat burning although no clinical evidence of this exists. It can also cause acute liver toxicity, dry mouth, nausea, gastrointestinal discomfort, and headaches. It may also interfere with prescription medications, including those used to treat people with diabetes, asthma, and clotting disorders.
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, 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.
