Properties: Pungent, bitter, warm
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Lung, Heart, Stomach and Large Intestine
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Unblocks Yang Qi, disperses turbid Phlegm, alleviates pain, disperses hardenings and disperses Cold Phlegm
Damp-Cold painful obstruction of the chest due to Cold, turbid Phlegm Stagnation preventing the flow of Yang Qi with chest, flank, or upper back pain, dyspnea, cough, wheezing and a stifling sensation in the chest
- Descends Qi, reduces Stagnation and stops diarrhoea
Damp Stagnation in the Large Intestine associated with dysenteric disorders
- Aids fasting
Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the middle class of herbs which can make the body light, free from hunger and slow ageing but is not advised for protracted taking. This may suggest it was part of supplementing the diet when engaging in an "avoiding grain" (Bigu 辟穀) fasting regime to cultivate life (Yangsheng 養生).
Suggested Daily Dosage: 5-10g in decoction.
Cautions: Garlic (Allium Sativum / Da Suan) has a known potential to increase antiplatelet activity meaning it can enhance the effects of anticoagulants, NSAIDs and acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin). This may also be true of this species of Allium macrostemon considering its effects.
Interactions:
- Chlorzoxazone: Increases plasma concentration of chlorzoxazone.
- Paracetamol: Changes in paracetamol pharmacokinetics.
- Saquinavir: Decreases saquinavir blood concentration.
- Anticoagulants: Antiplatelet potential may enhance anticoagulants, NSAIDS & aspirin.
- Should be stopped 7 days before surgery due to anticoagulant effect (Ang-Lee, Moss & Yuan, 2001; Yilmaz & Çifci, 2018).
Notable Constituents:
- Allicin
Pungent sulfoxide compound produced as a defence mechanism through the interaction of the enzyme allinase on the protein substrate alliin when garlic is cut or crushed. It has antihypertensive and cholesterol lowering, antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal properties, and is in trials for potential against follicular lymphoma. Excess consumption can cause gastrointestinal symptoms.
Appears in 8 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.
