Properties: Pungent, bitter and sweet, warm
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Liver and Kidney
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Dispels Wind-Dampness, nourishes (warms) the Liver and Kidneys and strengthens sinews and bones
Chronic Wind-Cold-Damp Bi with underlying Kidney and Liver Deficiencies generating weak or soft bones or sinews
- Transforms Dampness and reduces swelling
Urinary difficulty, oedema, and Cold Damp “Leg Qi”
- Tonifies the Qi while suppressing Parasites
Gu Sydnrome (Fruehauf, 1998)
Chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)
Suggested Daily Dosage: 5-10g in decoction, or soaked in wine.
Cautions: Caution must be taken to have the correct species. Cortex Periplocae (Xiang Jia Pi) is often mistaken for this herb but contains toxic cardiac glycosides which could be dangerous, as well as poorer therapeutic effects and none of the adaptogenic properties of Wu Jia Pi (Complemedis.com).
Notable Constituents:
- Eleutheroside A
Steroid saponin related to sitosterol, also known as sitogluside and daucosterol.
- Eleutheroside B
Monosaccharide derivative, also known as syringin. It is a hepatoprotective agent and may also have antidiabetic effects.
- Eleutheroside D
A dimer of sinapyl alcohol glucoside and optical isomer of Eleutheroside E.
- Eleutheroside E
Notes:
Although this is placed in the superior class in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing it is not indicated for consistent use, suggesting that it was a herb generally used in drastic situations, like the example given of a child that limps, probably referring to growth deformities, and not taken to enhance longevity. The text only states Wu Jia and the actions given seem to match Ci Wu Jia better than Wu Jia Pi.
Alternative species and local variants are sometimes substituted including: E. giraldii, E. sessiflorus, E. senticosus, E. henryi and E. verticalliatus.
Appears in 17 formulae listed on this site: (click to display)
Cong Zi Jiu (Onion Seed Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Dian Zhu Wan (Lightning Pearl Pills)
From: Classical Pearls by Heiner Fruehauf (2025)
Jia Jian Su He Tang (Modified Perilla and Menthol Decoction)
From: New Methods for the Treatment of Gu Syndrome by Lu Shunde (Qing Dynasty)
Jia Wei Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Augmented Six Ingredient Rehmannia Pill)
From: Golden Mirror of the Medical Tradition by Wu Qian (1742)
Jin Gu Die Da Wan (Sinew and Bone Injury Pills)
From: Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2000)
Niu Xi Dan Shen Jiu (Achyranthes and Salvia Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Niu Xi Fu Zi Jiu (Achyranthes and Aconite Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Niu Xi Jia Pi Jiu (Achyranthes and Acanthopanax Wine (or literally "Ox Knee with Bark Wine"))
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Niu Xi Ren Shen Jiu (Achyranthes and Ginseng Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Niu Xi Rou Gui Jiu (Achyranthes and Cinnamon Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Qing Yu Huo Xue Tang (Clear Stasis and Quicken the Blood Decoction)
From: Complete External Therapies of Chinese Drugs by Xu Xiangcai
Shen Gui Bu Xu Jiu (Ginseng and Tangkuei Wine to Supplement Vacuity)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Suan Zao Ren Jiu (Zizyphus Spinosa Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Sun Shang Yao Jiu (Detriment and Damage Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Wu Pi Yin (Five Peel Drink)
From: Formulary of the Pharmacy Service for Benefiting the People of the Taiping Era by Tai Yi Ju (Imperial Medical Bureau) (1107)
Xian Mao Jia Pi Jiu (Curculigo and Acanthopanax Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Zi Jing Wu Jia Jiu (Redbud and Acanthopanax Wine)
From: A+ Medical Encyclopedia (2011)
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.
