Properties: Bitter, cold
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Stomach and Liver
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Activates the Blood and dissiates Stasis
Traumatic injury, abrasions, muscular and joint pains
Swelling and pain of scrotum, including priapism and nymphomania
- Promotes urination and lactation
Difficult urination
Insufficient lactation
Suggested Daily Dosage: 6-15g in decoction.
Notable Constituents:
- Lactucarium
Milky fluid found within the stem with sedative and analgesic properties, consisting of Lactucin and Lactucopicrin. It is highest in wild Lactuca virosa species. It is uncertain if it is contained within the seeds.
Notes:
In western herbalism wild lettuce (Lactuca virosa) is also used for cough and asthma and as a sedative for insomnia, restlessness and exicitibility in children.
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.
