Properties: Pungent, slightly warm
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine and Small Intestine
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Descends Qi and eases the Middle
Damp Stagnation in the Stomach and Intestines, Food Stagnation or Qi Stagnation in the Middle with epigastric and abdominal distention, focal distention, a stifling sensation and belching with acid regurgitation
Especially useful when the above conditions are accompanied by incomplete or irregular bowel movements
- Promotes urination and reduces oedema
Abdominal distention accompanied by oedema, especially superficial oedema or symptoms of Food Stagnation
Damp leg Qi
Suggested Daily Dosage: 5-10g in decoction.
Cautions: This herb is prohibited from use in the UK under the banned and restricted herbal ingredients list issued by the MHRA and so is generally substituted with Zhi Shi and Yu Li Ren.
Interactions:
- Procyclidine: Rigidity, bradykinesia, jaw tremors.
Appears in 11 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, and A+ Medical Encyclopaedia have 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.
