Properties: Bitter, cold
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Liver, Gallbladder, Spleen and Stomach
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Clears Heat from the Heart and Liver and alleviates spasms (Liver Wind)
Childhood convulsions, epilepsy and eclampsia from Liver Fire (Generates Wind)
Excess Heat Generates Wind
Ying Stage Heat
Gallbladder Fire
Delirium associated with extensive burns
Jaundice
- Clears Heat and resolves Fire toxicity
Fire toxicity with various hot, toxic lesions including sores and carbuncles, burning hemorrhoids and sore throat (topical application is especially effective at eliminating pain)
- Clears and drains Liver Heat and benefits the eyes
Sever cases of red, painful eyes
Mild visual obstruction
It can be used topically and internally
- Clears Heat and eliminates childhood nutritional impairment
Childhood nutritional impairment, primarily marked by Heat
Suggested Daily Dosage: 1-2.5g in pills or powder. Do not decoct.
Cautions: Contraindicated where there is Cold from Deficiency (no true Heat). Use caution during pregnancy. Use caution with Liver disease.
Incompatible with with Rx. Rehmanniae Sheng Di Huang and Rx. Stephaniae Han Fang Ji which may weaken the effect.
Notable Constituents:
- Ursodiol
Also known as ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) which prevents the synthesis and absorption of cholesterol and can lead to the dissolution of gallstones. Fortunately it is easily synthesised
- Bile Acids
Steroid acids and salts that are conjugated with taurine of glycine to become bile salts that play an important role in the digestion and absorption of fat.
- Taurine
An amino sulfonic acid derived from methionine and cysteine metabolism abundant in many animal and fish organs and a major constituent of bile. It has many biological roles, including conjugation of bile acids, antioxidation, osmoregulation, membrane stabilisation, and modulation of calcium signalling. It is essential for cardiovascular function, and development and function of skeletal muscle, the retina, and the central nervous system. It is used as an oral supplement in the treatment of disorders such as cystic fibrosis and hypertension and widely used in energy drinks, cosmetics and nutritional supplements.
There are also numerous other constituents which may encourage wound healing and resistance to injury from extreme conditions experienced during hibernation which are being researched by Paul Iaizzo and investigated for synthetic alternatives (e.g.
Iaizzo et al, 2012,
Hoffmann, 2019 and
Matsangou, 2019).
Notes:
See also Feng et al (2009) for a discussion of bear bile in TCM, the ethical dilemma and possible alternatives; and Wang & Carey (2014) for a discussion of biles of many species used throughout the history of Chinese medicine.
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.
