Properties: Sweet, pungent, hot, slightly toxic
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Liver and Kidney
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Tonifies the Kidneys and strengthens Yang
Kidney Yang Deficiency with impotence, urinary incontinence, nocturnal emissions and irregular menstruation Infertility from either a Cold Womb (women) or Cold Essence (men) Weakening of Ming Men Fire
- Expels Cold and eliminates Dampness(strengthens bones and sinews)
Obstinate Cold Damp Bi with generalized pain, a sense of weakness in the bones and sinews and lower back and knee pain (especially useful for Cold abdominal or lower back pain) Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency
Suggested Daily Dosage: 5-15g in decoction.
Cautions: It is contraindicated in cases of yin deficiency with effulgent fire, and long term usage, because it is toxic.
Appears in 4 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, 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.
