Properties: Warm, bitter, acrid
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Lung, Liver, Heart
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- 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
- 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
- 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
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.