Author: Wang Tao, 王燾
Year: 752
Source: Arcane Essentials from the Imperial Library (Wai Tai Mi Yao, 外台秘要)
Category: Formulas that are Applied Externally
Pattern: Inhibition of breast milk due to blocked channels and collaterals
Key Symptoms: Blocked or inhibited flow of breast milk
Ingredients
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San Leng
| 60g | | |
Pinyin: San Leng
Chinese: 三棱
Pharmaceutical: Rhizoma Sparganii
English: Burr-Reed Rhizome |
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Tastes: Pungent, bitter, neutral
Meridians Entered: Liver and Spleen |
Actions & Indications:
- Forcefully breaks up Blood Stasis, regulates Qi and alleviates pain
Blood Stasis with amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, postpartum abdominal pain and abdominal masses
Relieves the symptoms of Gu Sydnrome while suppressing parasites (Fruehauf, 1998)
Chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)
- Dissolves accumulations
Food Stagnation and Qi Stagnation with severe abdominal pain and distention
- Regulates menstruation
Menstrual irregularities
- Promotes lactation
Agalactia
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Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.
Cautions: Same as E Zhu. This herb is drastic in property with the disadvantage of consuming qi and impairing blood. Do not overtake long. Prohibited for pregnant women and during menstrual periods. |
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Preparation: Decoct the herb in 4 cups of water until 2 remain and wash the breasts with the warm liquid.
Actions: Unblocks the channels and collaterals and promotes the flow of breast milk
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.
