Individual Herbs Notebook

Tou Hua Du Juan

Pharmaceutical: Folium et flos Rhododendra capitatae
Taxonomy: Rhododendron capitatum

Other names: Capitate Rhododendron Leaf and Flower

Category: Herbs that Transform Phlegm



Properties: None given

Meridans Entered:
Primary: None given


Traditional Actions/Indications:
  1. Dispels Phlegm and relieves cough and calms wheezing
    Cough or asthma with abundant phlegm
  2. Warms the Stomach and alleviates pain
    Abdominal pain due to Stomach Cold

Suggested Daily Dosage: 1-6g in decoction. See cautions regarding toxicity of rhododendrons.


Cautions: Large doses and prolonged use due to presence of Grayanotoxins found in all rhododendron species. Symptoms begin up to 3 hours after consumption and include neurological, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal signs such as nausea, vomiting, salivation, headache, blurred or double vision, sweating, weakness, hypotension, slow heart rate, fainting, drowsiness, drunkenness, hallucinations, seizures and death. BhaduriHauck (2016) estimates the lethal dose at 0.2% body weight, or approx 150g for a 75kg adult but adverse effects may be reported much sooner. There is no antidote but cardiovascular effects are usually treated with atropine, from belladonna, henbane or datura species.


Notable Constituents:
Does not appear in any formulae listed on this site
Research Links & References: (click to display)