Properties: Bitter, slightly toxic
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Lung
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Dispels Wind, eliminates Dampness and kills parasites
External use for various skin diseases
- Dispels Phlegm
Internally for cough with thick phlegm. It stimulates production of watery mucus enabling expectoration through coughing.
Suggested Daily Dosage: 0.5-1.5g internally, usually cold extracted overnight or added to a decoction after removing from the heat and being left to cool down. Externally can be extracted and used as a wash.
Cautions: Overdose can cause breakdown of red blood cells and severe irritation to the digestive tract leading to cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Avoid contact with the eyes if used externally and it may cause irritation to the skin.
Notable Constituents:
- Saponins
Glycosides with surfactant properties. Soapbark contains >100 different saponins.
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.
