Properties: Bitter, cold
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Lung, Large Intestine
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- To relieve cough and dispel Phlegm
Cough with profuse Phlegm
- Resolves Toxicity and disperses swelling
Swelling of sores, welling abscesses and boils
Bleeding from haemorrhoids
Scalds
Poisonous snake bite
Suggested Daily Dosage: 5-10g in decoction.
Notes:
Mesua ferrea is a complex species that has recently been split into several species and varieties but for traditional uses this name probably covers many of the recently divided subspecies, including Mesua thwaitesii and Mesua nagassarium and its subspecies.
Its name derived from the extraordinary density of its wood (940 to 1,195 kg/m3 or 59 to 75 lb/ft3 at 15% moisture content) which makes it very hard to saw but useful as heavy structural timber for its durability.
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.
