Properties: Pungent, warm
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Spleen and Stomach
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Warms the Blood and stops bleeding
Bleeding due to Stomach and/or Intestinal Deficiency Cold
- Warms and harmonizes the Stomach (Middle Jiao) and stops vomiting
Vomiting due to Stomach Cold
Morning sickness
- Stops diarrhoea
Spleen Deficient diarrhoea
Suggested Daily Dosage: 15-30g in decoction.
Cautions: It is contraindicated for yin and blood deficiency and vomiting and regurgitation due to heat syndrome.
Notable Constituents:
- Humic Acid
A naturally occurring, complex molecule found in soil, peat, and other decomposed organic matter. It has been found to have antioxidant properties and can support gut health by promoting beneficial bacteria. Heat can alter the structure of many humic acids but does not degrade them completely (Katsumi et al., 2016).
- 10(Z)-Hexadecenoic-acid
Long chain fatty acid produced by Mycobaterium Vaccae that lives in soil and has been researched for the potential antidepressant activity of gardening. It has also been investigated for immune modulating effects with regards to allergic asthma, cancer, depression, leprosy, psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and tuberculosis. In Zao Xin Tu the heat will kill off the bacteria but heat treated preparations have also been used in clinical trials for mood disorders to kill off the bacteria but leave its chemical productions intact. 10(Z)-Hexadecenoic-acid is one candidate for its therapeutic activity by inhibiting key pathways in activated immune cells (Smith et al, 2019), the other being M. vaccae lysate that prevents dermatitis when applied topically (Nesmiyanov et al, 2018).
Appears in 1 formulae listed on this site: (click to display)
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.
