Properties: Bitter, cool
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Liver, Gallbladder, Lungs, Intestines and Stomach
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Clears Heat and Cools the Blood
Dermatitis,eczema, acne, psoriasis, ulcers
Itching
Liver Blood Heat
- Moves and regulates Qi
Liver Qi stagnation
Constipation
Spasms
Chronic gallbladder disease
Impaired gait
Premenstrual syndrome
Oligomenorrhea, dysmenorrhea
Irritability
Nutritional deficiency
Metabolic weakness
Suggested Daily Dosage: 6-18g in decoction. The juice is also often applied externally to skin conditions.
Cautions: The herb has a toxic effect in large doses and can cause severe diarrhea, muscle cramps, and breathlessness.
Notable Constituents:
- Fumaric Acid
Immunomodulating dicarboxylic acid used in the treatment of psoriasis and in phase II trials for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
Notes:
Information is taken from https://www.therapeutika.ch/Fumaria+officinalis. Most other sources mention only that it is used in Chinese medicine for skin conditions but say little else about its properties or mechanisms.
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.
