Properties: Sweet, bitter, cold
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Lung, Stomach and Kidney
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Clears Lung Heat, sedates Fire and Moistens the Lungs
Lung Yin Deficiency with Heat signs in the upper Jiao such as Dryness of the mouth, Dryness of the Lung with dry mouth and a dry, non-productive cough or a productive cough with scanty, viscous, Blood-streaked sputum
Consumption with low-grade afternoon fever
- Nourishes the Lung and Kidney Yin, resolves Phlegm and generates Fluids
Lung and Kidney Yin Deficiency, especially Wasting and Thirsting disorder (消渴 Xiao Ke) of upper, middle and lower Jiao
Jing Deficiency due to Kidney Yin Deficiency with leg atrophy
Constipation due to dry Intestines
- Aids fasting and expels Evil Spirits
Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as one of the superior herbs that will with protracted taking, make the body light, boost Qi and prolong life. This may suggest it was part of supplementing the diet when engaging in an "avoiding grain" (Bigu 辟穀) fasting regime to cultivate life (Yangsheng 養生).
- Removes the Three Worms and Hidden Corpses
Said in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing that it removes the Three Worms and Hidden Corpses. This was likely a precursor to the concept of the Three Corpse Worms, maybe deriving from 蠱 Gu Syndrome, whose character contains the character for Worm (蟲 Chong) three times, and may have referred to difficult to treat metabolic disorders. The worms were spiritual parasites which caused overindulgence leading to complex diseases that did not respond to normal medicine and needed to be treated by fasting (Bigu), meditation (Neidan) and medicines (Waidan).
Suggested Daily Dosage: 6-15g in decoction.
Cautions: It should be used with cautions for cough due to wind-cold invasion and diarrhea due to deficiency cold because of its cold and smooth properties.
Notable Constituents:
- Asparacoside
Cytotoxic to human HUVEC, Lu1, KB, Col2, HOG.R5 and LNCAP cells.
- Asparacosin A
Cytotoxic to human KB cells. Unspecified cytotoxicity agasinst human HUVEC, Lu1, Col2, and LNCAP cells.
- Asparacosin B
Unspecified cytotoxicity agasinst human KB, HUVEC, Lu1, Col2, and LNCAP cells.
Notes:
Shatavari (A. racemosus) has very similar properties to A. conchinensis and is known in Chinese Zhang Ci Tian Men Dong (長刺天門冬, Long Spine Heavenly Winter's Gate) and so been included in this entry. Clinically it may be seen as an Indian variant of the same herb whose Vata and Pitta reducing, Kapha enhancing properties can be seen as similar to the Chinese Heat clearing and Yin nourishing effects. It is also indicated for reproductive health (Kidneys), gastrointestinal problems (Stomach) and respiratory disorders (Lung). One major difference is that Shatavari is also recommended to soothe the nervous system but this may also be attributed to an additional action resulting from nourishing Yin and clearing Fire.
Appears in 26 formulae listed on this site: (click to display)
Bu Qi Yang Xue Jiu (Fortify Qi and Nourish Blood Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Da Zao Wan (Great Creation Pill)
From: Essential Formulas to Support Longevity (1534)
Da Zao Wan (Great Creation Pill)
From: Collected Treatises of Jing-Yue by Zhang Jie Bin / Zhang Jing Yue (1624)
Di Huang Yin Zi (Rehmannia Drink)
From: A Simple Book of Formulas (1191) by Wang Shuo
Er Dong Er Di Jiu (Two Winters Two Earths Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Er Dong Tang (Two Winters Soup)
From: Awakening of the Mind in Medical Studies by Cheng Guo-Peng (1732)
Gan Lu Yin (Sweet Dew Drink)
From: Formulary of the Pharmacy Service for Benefiting the People of the Taiping Era by Tai Yi Ju (Imperial Medical Bureau) (1107)
Gu Ti Di Huang Jiu (Securing the Body Wine with Rehmannia)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Huang Qi Shi Hu Jiu (Astragalus and Dendrobium Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang (Gentian Decoction to Drain the Liver)
From: Precious Mirror of Health by Luo Tian-Yi (Yuan Dynasty)
Ma Huang Sheng Ma Tang (Ephedra and Cimicifuga Decoction)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)
Niu Xi Fu Zi Jiu (Achyranthes and Aconite Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Qing Fei Tang (Clear the Lung Decoction)
From: Restoration of Health from the Myriad Diseases by Gong Ting-Xian (1587)
Ren Shen Huang Qi San (Ginseng and Astragalus Powder)
From: Precious Mirror of Health by Luo Tian-Yi (Yuan Dynasty)
San Cai Tang (Three Talents Decoction)
From: Medical Formulas Collected and Analysed by Wang Ang (1682)
Sheng Tie Luo Yin (Iron Filings Drink)
From: Awakening of the Mind in Medical Studies by Cheng Guo-Peng (1732)
Shi Hu Ye Guang Wan (Dendrobium Pill for Night Vision)
From: Experiental Formulas from the Auspicious Balmboo Hall (1326)
Suan Zao Ren Jiu (Zizyphus Spinosa Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Tian Men Dong Hu Fu Mei Rong Yu (Asparagus Bath for Healthy Skin)
From: Shen-nong.com
Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan (Heavenly Emperor's Pill to Tonify the Heart)
From: Fine Formulas for Women with Annotations and Commentary (16th century)
Yan Shou Jiu (Extend Longevity Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Yang Rong Jiu (Nourish the Constructive Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Yi Shou Jiu (Boosting Longevity Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Yue Hua Wan (Moonlight Pill)
From: Awakening of the Mind in Medical Studies by Cheng Guo-Peng (1732)
Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang (Sedate the Liver and Extinguish Wind Decoction)
From: Essays on Medicine Esteeming the Chinese and Respecting the Western by Zang Xi Chun / Zang Shou Fu (1918-1934)
Zi Yin Jiang Huo Tang (Decoction to Enrich Yin and Direct Fire Downward)
From: Restoration of Health from the Myriad Diseases by Gong Ting-Xian (1587)
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.
