Properties: Salty, cool
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Lung, Heart and Bladder
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Clears Heat, reduces pathogenic Fire and resolves Blood Stagnation
Hematemesis, nose bleeding
Mouth and gum ulcers, gingivitis
Pharyngitis, sore throat
Consumptive fever, fever due to overwork (Deficiency Taxation)
Pulmonary weakness
Headaches
Suggested Daily Dosage: 3-6g as powder.
Cautions: Human products are prohibited from use in the UK under the Medicines Act 1968 ch. 67 which restricts herbalists to the use of plant products only. The main constituent of urine is urea and can be made synthetically today but a potential botanical alternative could be Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) root which contains Allantoin, another metabolite of uric acid with skin soothing and healing properties.
Notable Constituents:
- Urea
A compound formed in the liver from ammonia produced by the deamination of amino acids. It is the principal end product of protein catabolism and constitutes about one half of the total urinary solids. It used in skincare products as a moisturiser and to promote wound healing.
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, 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.
