Properties: Pungent, bitter, lightly cold

Meridans Entered:
Primary: Liver, Heart and Bladder

1. Invigorates the Blood, dispels Stasis, regulates menstruation and reduces masses
   Gynecological disorders due to Blood Stasis with irregular menstruation, premenstrual abdominal pain and postpartum abdominal pain with retained lochia
   Abdominal masses and infertility due to Blood Stasis due to Blood Deficiency
   Traumatic pain
2. Promotes urination and reduces swelling and oedema
   Acute systemic oedema accompanied by Blood Stasis, especially with hematuria
3. Clears Heat and resolves toxicity internally or topically
   Sores, abscesses and toxic swellings
   Itchy rashes from Damp-Heat in the muscles and surrounding tissues
4. Aids fasting
   Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the superior class of herbs which can, with protracted taking, make the body light. 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: 10-30g in decoction.

• Leonurine
  Psuedoalkaloid common most leonurus species that has been researched for effects on inflammation, cardiovascular disorders, oedema and neurological degeneration

Notes:

Leonurus cardiaca, used in western herbalism, is known in Chinese as Wei Yi Mu Cao (Stomach Yi Mu Cao) and can be seen as essentially the same herb but with a greater focus on the heart and the added indication of calming the Spirit. This is from Nicholas Culpeper (17th century) who said: "there is no better herb to take melancholy vapors from the heart and make a merry, cheerful soul." It would make sense that it is especially indicated where the Shen is disturbed due to Blood Stasis. The Chinese herb does have cardioprotective effects but the traditional indications are subtle, suggested only by it entering the Heart or Pericardium channel and being employed for oedema which may be secondary to heart disease.