Properties: Sweet, bland, neutral
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Stomach, Kidney, Liver and Gallbladder
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Promotes urination, reduces oedema and unblocks painful urinary dysfunction
Lin Syndrome (Damp-Heat induced painful urinary dysfunction, especially Stone Lin) and oedema
Difficult urination due to prostatitis
As a stand-alone herb in large doses for oedema due to nephritis
- Clears Damp-Heat from the Liver/ Gallbladder
Liver/Gallbladder Damp-Heat (with hepatitis, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis)
- Removes jaundice
Jaundice (Yin or Yang)
- Treats 消渴 Xiao Ke
Wasting and thirsting (消渴 Xiao Ke)
Suggested Daily Dosage: 9-30g in decoction, large doses can be 60-90g.
Cautions: This herb should be monitored carefully when used in conjunction with warfarin (Coumadin) as it contains vitamin K which may reduce the anticoagulant effect of warfarin (Coumadin).
Concurrent use with diuretics such as chlorothiazide, hydrochlorothiazide, furosimide (Lasix), bumetanide (Bumex) and torsemide (Demadex) may lead to increased elimination of water and electrolytes.
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.
