Source: Shen-nong.com (http://www.shen-nong.com/chi/treatment/herbalbaths.html)
Category: Formulas that are Applied Externally
Pattern: Swollen sores and boils
Key Symptoms: Swollen sores and boils
Ingredients
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Yi Mu Cao
| 500g | | |
Pinyin: Yi Mu Cao
Chinese: 益母草
Pharmaceutical: Herba Leonuri
Taxonomy: Leonurus japonicus syn. heterophyllus syn. sibiricus
English: Chinese Motherwort |
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Tastes: Pungent, bitter, lightly cold
Meridians Entered: Liver, Heart and Bladder |
Actions & Indications:
- Invigorates the Blood, dispels Stasis, regulates menstruation and reduces masses
Gynecological disorders due to Blood Stasis with irregular menstruation, premenstrual abdominal pain and postpartum abdominal pain with retained lochia
Abdominal masses and infertility due to Blood Stasis due to Blood Deficiency
Traumatic pain
- Promotes urination and reduces swelling and oedema
Acute systemic oedema accompanied by Blood Stasis, especially with hematuria
- Clears Heat and resolves toxicity internally or topically
Sores, abscesses and toxic swellings
Itchy rashes from Damp-Heat in the muscles and surrounding tissues
- Aids fasting
Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the superior class of herbs which can, with protracted taking, make the body light. This may suggest it was part of supplementing the diet when engaging in an "avoiding grain" (Bigu 辟穀) fasting regime to cultivate life (Yangsheng 養生).
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Standard Dosage: 10-30g in decoction.
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Preparation: Prepare as a decoction and add to the bath. The water temperature should be about 38°C and soak for 30 minutes.
Actions: Reduces the swelling of sores
Contraindications: Herbal baths are not suitable for children, the elderly or seriously ill people. It is also not recommended for individuals who have a tendency to bleed easily, or who have heart, lung and kidney problems.
Research Links:
Reference Notes: (click to display)
Most formulas are found in Scheid, Bensky, Ellis & Barolet (2009): Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies and Chen & Chen (2015) Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications. Others are from translations of primary sources. It is recommended that the original material is cross-referenced for mistakes and additional information.
Substitutions have been taken from Ken Lloyd & Prof. Leung (2004): Mayway UK Substitution List or the above publications and are intended as suggestions to help navigate the tight restrictions in the UK quickly. More applicable substitutions may be appropriate in specific situations.
Individual herb information has initially been sourced from TCM Wiki and American Dragon for basic data and then updated manually with my own notes.
These pages are intended to assist clinicians and are not intended for self-diagnosis or treatment for which a qualified professional should be consulted.
