Individual Herbs Notebook

Mei Zhou Xue Gen Cao

Pharmaceutical: Sanguinaria canadensis rhizoma

Other names: Bloodroot

Category: Herbs that Transform Phlegm



Properties: Warm, bitter, acrid

Meridans Entered:
Primary: Lung, Liver, Heart


Traditional Actions/Indications:
  1. Clear Cold-Phlegm from the Lung and tonify Heart Qi
    Subacute or chronic bronchitis with phlegmy cough, especially with mild cardiac weakness and poor peripheral circulation
    Asthma with bronchial catarrh
    Whooping cough
    Croup
  2. Move Liver Qi and warms the extremities
    Hepatic and biliary weakness
    Depression accompanied by sensation of heaviness and cold in the limbs (Heat Inversion), digestive disturbance and headache
  3. Warms and regulates the uterus
    Amenorrhoea or irregular menstruation, especially if accompanied with depression, catarrhal states and sensations of heaviness and cold

Suggested Daily Dosage: 0.18 - 1.5g in decoction


Cautions: Contradicted in hot cases unless balanced by cooling herbs. In cases of depression it should be taken separately, starting at a low dose and gradually increased to avoid aggravation.


Notes: Information on actions is taken from Ross (2010), Combining Western Herbs and Chinese Medicine.


Does not appear in any formulae listed on this site
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