Properties: Pungent, bitter, warm
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Liver and Spleen
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Strenghtens the Spleen and Harmonises the Stomach
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Abdominal distention
- Regulates Qi and alleviates pain
Distending pain in the chest, flanks or abdomen
Chest sprain, pain in the chest when breathing
- Prevents miscarriage
Foetal restlessness
Suggested Daily Dosage: 4.5-9g in decoction.
Cautions: High doses can cause vomiting and nausea.
Notable Constituents:
- Inulin
Polysaccharide common to many plants which may be useful in the treatment of metabolic syndrome by promoting gut bacterial growth while inhibiting some pathogenic bacteria
- Helenin
Alcohol extracted compound present only in the roots comprising about 40% alantolactone and 60% isoalantolactone. Alantolactone had demonstrated in vitro antifungal and antimicrobial activity, anti-inflammatory activity, and apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in lung squamous cancer cells
Notes:
In western herbs this is one of the primary herbs for cough, asthma and phlegm in the chest while in Chinese these properties are all ascribed to the flower (Xuan Fu Hua) and only hinted at in the indications for pain on breathing and possibly vomiting. Instead the root has more indications for pain. These could be united by saying that it is best used when obstruction of the Qi dynamic is producing Phlegm.
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.
