Individual Herbs Notebook

Xu Duan

Pharmaceutical: Radix Dipsaci

Other names: Himalayan Teasel Root

Category: Herbs that Tonify Yang



Properties: Sweet, pungent, slightly warm

Meridans Entered:
Primary: Kidney and Liver
Extraordinary Vessels: Du, Dai


Traditional Actions/Indications:
  1. Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys and strengthens the sinews and bones
    Liver and Kidney Deficiency with sore and painful lower back and knees, stiffness in the joints and weakness in the legs
    Urinary dribbling from Kidney Deficiency
  2. Stops uterine bleeding, calms the fetus and prevents miscarriage
    Bleeding during pregnancy
    Restless fetus
    Threatened miscarriage
    Ren channel Deficiency related uterine bleeding and vaginal discharge
  3. Promotes the movement of Blood, alleviates pain, generates flesh and reconnects the sinews and bones
    Trauma (topical and internal) especially pain and swelling in the lower back and limbs
    External sores (topical)
    Bi pain
  4. Reduces swellings, abscesses and sores
    Toxic abscesses and sores
  5. Expels Gu Parasites
    Chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)
  6. Aids fasting
    Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the middle class of herbs which can, with protracted taking, boost the Qi and physical strength. This may suggest it was part of supplementing the diet when engaging in an "avoiding grain" (Bigu 辟穀) fasting regime to cultivate life (Yangsheng 養生).

Suggested Daily Dosage: 10-15g in decoction.


Appears in 25 formulae listed on this site: (click to display)
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