Properties: Sour, astringent, neutral
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Liver, Spleen, Lung, and Large Intestine
Extraordinary Vessels: Dai
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Astringes leakage of Lung Qi, stops leakage of sweat and stops coughs
Chronic Lung Deficiency coughs, dysphagia, regurgitation
- Generates Yin and Yang fluids and alleviates thirst
Thirst due to Heat from Deficiency Qi and Yin Deficiency
Wasting and thirsting (消渴 Xiao Ke) disorder due to Deficiency Heat
- Expels roundworms and alleviates pain
Roundworm induced vomiting and abdominal pain
Occasionally used for abdominal pain and vomiting not associated with parasites
- Astringes the Intestines and stops diarrhoea
Chronic, incessant diarrhoea or dysentery and fecal incontinence and hemafecia (can be used alone charred for these purposes)
Rectal prolapse
- Stops bleeding
Bleeding (hemafecia, and excessive uterine bleeding) with symptoms of Blood Deficiency (Dryness, thirst and a parched mouth
Can be used alone charred and powdered for bleeding from the vagina, anus or urethra
- Treat corns and warts topically
Corns and warts
Suggested Daily Dosage: 3-10g in decoction, but can be up to 30g.
Appears in 10 formulae listed on this site: (click to display)
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.
