Properties: Bitter, pungent, cold
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Heart and Liver
Divergent Channels: San Jiao, Pericardium
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Clears Heat, cools the Blood, invigorates Blood circulation, relieves Fire toxins and encourages rashes
Xue Stage Heat, Blood Heat, Toxic Heat and dark purple rashes (measles, chicken pox)
- Moistens the Intestines, unblocks the bowels and promotes urination
Blood Heat constipation and rashes accompanied by constipation and/or urinary dysfunction
- Clears Damp-Heat from the skin (aids healing of tissues)
Damp-Heat skin lesions or vaginal itching topically Burns and wounds topically
Suggested Daily Dosage: 5-10g in decoction. For external use it is usually soaked in oil.
Cautions: It is contraindicated in cases of diarrhea due to spleen deficiency, for its defecation-promoting action.
In the UK it is prohibited for internal use due to pyrrolizidine alkaloid content. External use is still permitted.
Appears in 8 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, has 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.