Butterflybush flower (Mimenghua)

Butterflybush flower (Mimenghua)

Pharmaceutical Name: Flos Buddlejae

Botanical Name: Buddleja officinalis Maxim.

Common Name: Buddleja, Butterflybush flower.

Source of Earliest Record: Kaibao Bencao.

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The flower buds are gathered in spring and dried in the sun.

Properties & Taste: Sweet and slightly cold.

Meridian: Liver.

Functions: 1. To clear heat in the liver; 2. To brighten the eyes and reduce corneal opacity.

Indications & Combinations:

1. Heat in the liver manifested as red, painful and swollen eyes, photophobia, excessive tearing and corneal opacity. Butterflybush flower (Mimenghua) is used with Chrysanthemum flower (Juhua), Sea-ear shell (Shijueming) and Tribulus fruit (Baijili).

2. Deficient yin in the liver with yang attacking upward manifested as dizziness, blurred vision, dry eyes and corneal opacity. Butterflybush flower (Mimenghua) is used with Wolfberry fruit (Gouqizi) and Flattened milkvetch seed (Shayuanzi).

Dosage: 6-10 g.

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Bush-cherry seed (Yuliren)

Bush-cherry seed (Yuliren)

Pharmaceutical Name: Semen pruni

Botanical Name: 1. Prunus japonica Thunb.; 2. Prunus humilis Bge.; 3. Prunus tomentosa Thunb.

Common Name: Bush-cherry seed

Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing.

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The ripe seeds from the fruit are gathered in autumn and dried in the sun. The seeds are then ground in a mortar and pestle.

Properties & Taste: Pungent, bitter and neutral.

Meridians: Small and large intestines.

Functions: 1. To lubricate intestines and move feces; 2. To promote urination and reduce edema

Indications & Combinations:

1. Constipation due to dryness in the intestines. Bush-cherry seed (Yuliren) is used with Apricot seed (Xingren), Peach seed (Taoren) and Arborvitae seed (Baiziren) in the formula Wuren Wan.

2. Edema. Bush-cherry seed (Yuliren) is used with Mulberry bark (Sangbaipi), Phaseolus seed (Chixiaodou) and Imperata rhizome (Baimaogen) in the formula Yuliren Tang.

Dosage: 5-12 g.

Cautions & Contraindications: This herb is contraindicated in cases with depletion of body fluids, or during pregnancy.

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Burreed tuber (Sanleng)

Burreed tuber (Sanleng)

Pharmaceutical Name: Rhizoma Sparganii

Botanical Name: Sparganium stoloniferum Buch.-Ham.

Common Name: Burreed tuber, Sparganium, Scirpus.

Source of Earliest Record: Bencao Shiyi.

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The rhizomes are dug in winter or spring. After the fibrous roots have been removed, the rhizomes are dried in the sun.

Properties & Taste: Bitter and neutral.

Meridians: Liver and spleen.

Functions: 1. To invigorate blood and move stagnation; 2. To promote qi circulation and stop pain

Indications & Combinations:

1. Qi and blood stagnation manifested as amenorrhea, abdominal pain and epigastric or abdominal masses. Burreed tuber (Sanleng) is used with Zedoary (Ezhu) in the formula Ezhu Wan.

2. Retention of food and qi stagnation manifested as epigastric and abdominal distension and pain. Burreed tuber (Sanleng) is used with Zedoary (Ezhu), Green tangerine peel (Qingpi) and Germinated barley (Maiya).

Dosage: 3-10 g.

Cautions & Contraindications: Prepared with vinegar can help the function of stopping pain. This herb is contraindicated during pregnancy and during profuse menstrual flow.

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Burnet root (Diyu)

Burnet root (Diyu)

Pharmaceutical Name: Radix Sanguisorbae

Botanical Name: Sanguisorba officinalis L.

Common Name: Sanguisorba root, Burnet root.

Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing.

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The roots are dug in spring or autumn. After the fibrous roots have been removed, the roots are then cleaned, dried in the sun and cut into slices.

Properties & Taste: Bitter, sour and slightly cold

Meridians: Liver, stomach and large intestine

Functions: 1. To cool blood and stop bleeding; 2. To dispel toxins and promote healing of ulcers

Indications & Combinations:

1. Hemorrhages due to extravasation of blood by heat: a) uterine bleedingBurnet root (Diyu) is used with fried Cattail pollen (Puhuang), Scutellaria root (Huangqin) and Fresh rehmannia root (Shengdihuang); b) hemorrhages, bleeding and dysenteryBurnet root (Diyu) is used with Sophora flower (Huaihua), Coptis root (Huanglian) and Costus root (Muxiang).

2. Burns, eczema, ulcers of the skin. Burnet root (Diyu) is used with Coptis root (Huanglian) for external use.

Dosage: 10-15 g

Cautions & Contraindications: This herb is contraindicated for large burns. The ointment made from the herb may cause a toxic infection after absorption by the body.

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Bupleurum root (Chaihu)

Bupleurum root (Chaihu)

Pharmaceutical Name: Radix bupleuri

Botanical Name: Bupleurum scorzoneraefollium wild; 2. Bupleurum chinense DC.

Common Name: Bupleurum root.

Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing.

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The roots are dug in spring or autumn, dried in the sun and cut into short pieces. The raw root can be used, or it can be baked with wine or vinegar.

Properties & Taste: Bitter, pungent and slightly cold.

Meridians: Pericardium, liver, gall bladder and triple jiao.

Functions: 1. To release the exterior and clear heat; 2. To pacify the liver so as to relieve stagnation; 3. To elevate yang-qi.

Indications & Combinations:

1. Fever due to invasion by exogenous pathogenic factors. Bupleurum root (Chaihu) is used with Licorice root (Gancao).

2. Alternating chills and fever in lesser yang-syndrome. Bupleurum root (Chaihu) is used with Scutellaria root (Huangqin).

3. Qi stagnation in the liver manifested as distension and pain in the chest and costal regions and irregular menstruation. Bupleurum root (Chaihu) is used with Cyperus tuber (Xiangfu), Bitter orange (Zhiqiao) and Green tangerine peel (Qingpi) in the formula Chaihu Sugan San.

4. Qi stagnation of the liver and deficient blood. Bupleurum root (Chaihu) is used with Chinese angelica root (Danggui) and White peony root (Baishao) in the formula Xiaoyao San.

5. Sinking of qi in the spleen and stomach manifested as chronic diarrhea, prolapse of rectum, gastroptosis and uterine prolapse. Bupleurum root (Chaihu) is used with Ginseng (Renshen), Scutellaria root (Huangqin) and White atractylodes (Baizhu) in the formula Buzhong Yiqi Tang.

Dosage: 3-10 g.

Cautions & Contraindications: This herb is contraindicated during syndromes due to hyperactivity of liver yang or deficiency of yin.

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Bugleweed (Zelan)

Bugleweed (Zelan)

Pharmaceutical Name: Herba Lycopi

Botanical Name: Lycopus lucidus Turcz. var. hirtus Regel

Common Name: Bugleweed.

Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing.

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The aerial part of the entire plant is gathered in summer, dried in the sun and cut into pieces.

Properties & Taste: Bitter, pungent and slightly warm

Meridians: Liver and spleen

Functions: 1. To invigorate blood and remove stagnation; 2. To promote urination and reduce edema

Indications & Combinations:

1. Blood stagnation manifested as amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation or postpartum abdominal pain. Bugleweed (Zelan) is used with Chinese angelica root (Danggui), Red sage root (Danshen) and Red peony (Chishao).

2. Chest pain or hypochondriac pain caused by external injuries. Bugleweed (Zelan) is used with Curcuma root (Yujin) and Red sage root (Danshen).

3. Carbuncles, furuncles, swellings. Bugleweed (Zelan) is used with Honeysuckle flower (Jinyinhua), Chinese angelica root (Danggui) and Licorice root (Gancao).

Dosage: 10-15 g.

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Broom cypress fruit (Difuzi)

Broom cypress fruit (Difuzi)

Pharmaceutical Name: Fructus kochiae

Botanical Name: Kochia scoparia (L.) Schrad.

Common Name: Kochia fruit, Broom cypress fruit.

Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing.

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: When the fruit ripens in autumn, it is gathered and dried in the sun.

Properties & Taste: Bitter and cold.

Meridian: Urinary bladder.

Functions: 1. To clear heat and transform dampness; 2. To stop itching.

Indications & Combinations:

1. Damp-heat in the urinary bladder manifested as dysuria, painful urination, frequent urination and urgency of micturition. Broom cypress fruit (Difuzi) is used with herbs that clear heat and promote urination, including Talc (Huashi) and Plantain seed (Cheqianzi).

2. Eczema and scabies. Broom cypress fruit (Difuzi) is used with Phellodendron bark (Huangbai), Flavescent sophora root (Kushen) and Dittany bark (Baixianpi).

Dosage: 10-15 g

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Borneol (Bingpian)

Borneol (Bingpian)

Blumea balsamifera DC and Borneol

Pharmaceutical Name: Borneolum Syntheticum

Mineral Name: 1. Dryobalanops aromatica Gaertn. f.; 2. Blumea balsamifera DC.

Common Name: Borneol

Source of Earliest Record: Xinxiu Bencao.

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The stems of dryobalanops aromatica are steamed and then cooled into crystals.

Properties & Taste: Pungent, bitter and slightly cold.

Meridians: Heart, spleen and lung.

Functions: 1. To open the orifices and clear the mind; 2. To clear heat and stop pain

Indications & Combinations:

1. Unconsciousness due to high fever. Borneol (Bingpian) is used with Musk (Shexiang) in the formula Angong Niuhuang Wan.

2. Red, swollen and painful eyes. Borneol (Bingpian) can be used alone as eye drops.

3. Sore throat or ulc eration of the mouth. Borneol (Bingpian) is used with Sodium borate (Pengsha) and the compound of Licorice root (Gancao) and Glauber's salt (Mangxiao), also called Xuanming Fen, in the formula Bing Peng San.

Dosage: 0.03-0.1 g (in pill form).

Cautions & Contraindications: This substance should be used with caution during pregnancy.

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Boat sterculia seed (Pangdahai)

Boat sterculia seed (Pangdahai)

Pharmaceutical Name: Semen Sterculiae lychnopherae

Botanical Name: Sterculia lychnophera Hance

Common Name: Boat sterculia seed

Source of Earliest Record: Bencao Gangmu Shiyi.

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The seeds are collected from April to June after the fruit ripens, and then they are dried in the sun.

Properties & Taste: Sweet and cold.

Meridians: Lung and large intestine.

Functions: 1. To clear heat in the lungs and promote the dispersing function of qi in the lungs; 2. To moisten the intestines and move feces.

Indications & Combinations:

1. Failure of lung qi to disperse, resulting in accumulation of heat in the lungs manifested as sore throat, coarse voice, cough with yellow, thick and sticky sputum and sputum difficult to expectorate. Boat sterculia seed (Pangdahai) is used with Platycodon root (Jiegeng), Cicada slough (Chantui), Mentha (Bohe) and Licorice root (Gancao). The herb can also be used alone in boiled water as tea.

2. Constipation due to accumulation of heat. Boat sterculia seed (Pangdahai) is used alone in boiled water as tea, or it is combined with other herbs that move stool.

Dosage: 3-5 g (The dosage for powder form should be halved).

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Bletilla tuber (Baiji)

Bletilla tuber (Baiji)

Pharmaceutical Name: Rhizoma Bletillae

Botanical Name: Bletilla striata (Thunb.) Reichb. f.

Common Name: Bletilla tuber

Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing.

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The rhizomes are dug in summer or autumn. After the fibrous roots have been removed, the rhizomes are cleaned, boiled in water, dried in the sun and cut into slices.

Properties & Taste: Bitter, sweet, astringent and slightly cold.

Meridians: Liver, lung and stomach

Functions: 1. To stop bleeding; 2. To reduce swelling and promote healing

Indications & Combinations:

1. Hemorrhages: a) cough with blood due to deficient yin of the lungs Bletilla tuber (Baiji) is used with Donkey hide gelatin (Ejiao), Lotus node (Oujie) and Loquat leaf (Pipaye); b) vomiting with bloodBletilla tuber (Baiji) is used with Cuttlefish bone (Wuzeigu) in the formula Wu Ji San; c) hemorrhage due to external injuries. Bletilla tuber (Baiji) can be applied alone or with the powder of Calcine gypsum (Duanshigao) for external use.

2. Boils, carbuncles and swelling: a) affected areas with redness, swelling, hot sensation and pain Bletilla tuber (Baiji) is used with Honeysuckle flower (Jinyinhua), Tendrilled fritillary bulb (Chuanbeimu), Trichosanthes root (Tianhuafen) and Honeylocust thorn (Zaojiaoci) in the formula Neixiao San; b) chronic non-healing ulcersthe powder of Bletilla tuber (Baiji) is applied directly to wounds.

3. Chapped skin or cracked hands or feet. The powder of Bletilla tuber (Baiji) is mixed with sesame oil for external use.

Dosage: 3-10 g.

Cautions & Contraindications: This herb counteracts Sichuan aconite root (Wutou).

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Black sesame seed (Heizhima)

Black sesame seed (Heizhima)

Pharmaceutical Name: Semen Sesami

Botanical Name: Sesamum indicum nigrum L.

Common Name: Black sesame seed.

Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The ripe sesame seeds are gathered in autumn, then they are dried in the sun.

Properties & Taste: Sweet and neutral.

Meridians: Liver and kidney

Functions: 1. To tonify the essence and blood; 2. To moisten the intestines and move feces

Indications & Combinations:

1. Deficient essence and blood manifested as dizziness, blurred vision and early graying of the hair. Black sesame seed (Heizhima) is used with Mulberry leaf (Sangye) in the formula Sang Ma Wan.

2. Constipation due to dryness in the intestines. Black sesame seed (Heizhima) is used with Chinese angelica root (Danggui), Cistanche (Roucongrong) and Arborvitae seed (Baiziren).

Dosage: 10-30 g (The herb is most effective when fried.)

Cautions & Contraindications: This herb should not be used in cases with diarrhea.

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Black plum (Wumei)

Black plum (Wumei)

Pharmaceutical Name: Fructus Mume.

Botanical Name: Prunus mume (Sieb.) Sieb. et Zucc.

Common Name: Black plum, Mume

Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing.

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The unripe fruit is gathered in the period at the Beginning of Summer (seventh solar term). It is baked at a low temperature until the skins turn black. The plum stone is removed.

Properties & Taste: Sour and neutral

Meridians: Spleen, lung and large intestine

Functions: 1. To astringe the lungs and stop cough; 2. To restrain the intestines and stop diarrhea; 3. To promote the production of body fluids; 4. To expel roundworms

Indications & Combinations:

1. Chronic cough due to deficiency of the lungs. Black plum (Wumei) is used with Poppy capsule (Yingsuqiao), Donkey hide gelatin (Ejiao) and Apricot seed (Xingren).

2. Chronic diarrhea or dysentery. Black plum (Wumei) is used with Nutmeg (Roudoukou), Chebula fruit (Hezi) and Poppy capsule (Yingsuqiao).

3. Acute dysentery. Black plum (Wumei) is used with Coptis root (Huanglian).

4. Diabetes. Black plum (Wumei) is used with Trichosanthes root (Tianhuafen), Ophiopogon root (Maidong), Ginseng (Renshen) and Pueraria root (Gegen).

5. Roundworms in the biliary tract manifested as abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Black plum (Wumei) is used with Asarum herb (Xixin) and Coptis root (Huanglian) in the formula Wumei Wan.

Dosage: 3-30 g

Cautions & Contraindications: This herb is contraindicated in cases with exterior syndrome or accumulation of excessive heat in the interior.

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Bitter cardamom (Yizhiren)

Bitter cardamom (Yizhiren)

Pharmaceutical Name: Fructus Alpiniae oxyphyllae.

Botanical Name: Alpinia oxyphylla Miq.

Common Name: Black cardamom, Bitter cardamom.

Source of Earliest Record: Bencao Shiyi.

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The fruit is gathered in summer. It is dried in the sun, fried with sand and peeled.

Properties & Taste: Pungent and warm.

Meridians: Spleen and kidney.

Functions: 1. To warm and tonify the spleen and kidneys; 2. To prevent emissions and stop diarrhea

Indications & Combinations:

1. Invasion of cold in the spleen and kidneys manifested as abdominal pain and vomiting. Bitter cardamom (Yizhiren) is used with Pilose asiabell root (Dangshen), White atractylodes (Baizhu) and Dried ginger (Ganjiang).

2. Kidney deficiency manifested as enuresis and seminal emissions. Bitter cardamom (Yizhiren) is used with Dioscorea (Shanyao) and Lindera root (Wuyao) in the formula Suoquan Wan.

3. Diarrhea and excessive salivation due to spleen deficiency. Bitter cardamom (Yizhiren) is used with Poria (Fuling), Dioscorea (Shanyao), Pilose asiabell root (Dangshen) and Pinellia tuber (Banxia).

Dosage: 3-6 g.

Cautions & Contraindications: This herb is contraindicated in cases with deficiency of yin with excessive fire, seminal emissions, frequent urination and uterine bleeding caused by heat.

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Birthwort fruit (Madouling)

Birthwort fruit (Madouling)

Pharmaceutical Name: Fructus Aristlochiae.

Botanical Name: 1. Aristolochia contorta Bge.; 2. Aristolochia debilis Sieb. et Zucc.

Common Name: Aristolochia fruit, Birthwort fruit

Source of Earliest Record: Yaoxing Lun

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The ripe fruit is gathered in autumn and dried in the sun.

Properties & Taste: Bitter, slightly pungent and cold

Meridians: Lung and large intestine

Functions: 1. To clear the lungs and resolve phlegm; 2. To stop cough and soothe asthma

Indications & Combinations:

1. Heat in the lungs manifested as cough with profuse yellow sputum and asthma. Birthwort fruit (Madouling) is used with Loquat leaf (Pipaye), Peucedanum root (Qianhu), Mulberry bark (Sangbaipi) and Scutellaria root (Huangqin).

2. Deficiency of the lungs manifested as cough with scanty sputum or with bloody sputum and shortness of breath. Birthwort fruit (Madouling) is used with Glehnia root (Shashen), Ophiopogon root (Maidong), Aster root (Ziwan) and Donkey hide gelatin (Ejiao).

Dosage: 3-10 g

Cautions & Contraindications: Overdosage of the herb may cause nausea and vomiting.

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Biota tops (Cebaiye)

Biota tops (Cebaiye)

Pharmaceutical Name: Cacumen Biotae.

Botanical Name: Biota orientalis (L.) Endl.

Common Name: Biota tops, Acborvitae tops

Source of Earliest Record: Mingyi Bielu.

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The leafy twigs are gathered all year round. They are dried in a shady place and cut into pieces.

Properties & Taste: Bitter, astringent and slightly cold

Meridians: Lung, liver and large intestine.

Functions: To cool blood and stop bleeding.

Indications & Combinations:

1. Hemorrhages due to extravasation of blood by heat manifested as cough with blood, vomiting with blood, epistaxis, hematuria and uterine bleeding. Biota tops (Cebaiye) is used with Japanese thistle (Daji), Small thistle (Xiaoji) and Imperata rhizome (Baimaogen).

2. Hemorrhages due to deficiency and cold. Biota tops (Cebaiye) is used with Mugwort leaf (Aiye).

Dosage: 10-15 g

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Benincasa peel (Dongguapi)

Benincasa peel (Dongguapi)

Pharmaceutical Name: Exocarpium Benincasae

Botanical Name: Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn.

Common Name: Benincasa peel, Chinese wax gourd

Source of Earliest Record: Kaibao Bencao.

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The peel of the gourd is dried in the sun.

Properties & Taste: Sweet and slightly cold.

Meridians: Lung and small intestine.

Functions: To promote water metabolism and reduce edema

Indications & Combinations: Edema. Benincasa peel (Dongguapi) is used with Phaseolus seed (Chixiaodou), Imperata rhizome (Baimaogen) and Poria (Fuling) in the formula Donggua Wan.

Dosage: 15-30 g

Benincasa seed (Dongguaren)

The Benincasa seed (Dongguaren), or Chinese wax gourd seed, is sweet and cold in properties, and clears heat in the lungs, resolves phlegm and eliminates pus. The herb is indicated in cough due to heat in the lungs, lung abscess and intestinal abscess. The dosage is 10-15 g.

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Basket fern (Guanzhong)

Basket fern (Guanzhong)

Pharmaceutical Name: Rhizoma Dryopteris crassirhizomae

Botanical Name: 1. Dryopteris crassirhixoma Nakai; 2. Osmunda japonica Thunb. 3. Woodwardia unigemmata (Makino) Nakai

Common Name: Dryopteris rhizome, Basket fern

Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The rhizomes are dug in winter. After the fibrous roots have been removed, the rhizomes are dried in the sun and cut into slices. The herb can be used either raw or carbonized.

Properties & Taste: Bitter and slightly cold.

Meridians: Liver and spleen.

Functions: 1. To kill parasites; 2. To clear heat and release toxins; 3. To stop bleeding.

Indications & Combinations:

1. Parasites in the intestines: a) hookwormBasket fern (Guanzhong) is used with Torrya seed (Feizi) and Areca seed (Binglang); b) tapewormBasket fern (Guanzhong) is used with Omphalia (Leiwan) and Areca seed (Binglang); c) pinwormBasket fern (Guanzhong) is used with Chinaberry bark (Kulianpi) and Carpesium fruit (Heshi).

2. Wind-heat common cold, warm-heat maculopapule and acute parotitis. Basket fern (Guanzhong) is used with Honeysuckle flower (Jinyinhua), Forsythia fruit (Lianqiao), Isatis leaf (Daqingye) and Isatis root (Banlangen).

3. Extravasation of blood by heat manifested as vomiting of blood, epistaxis, bloody stool and functional uterine bleeding. Basket fern (Guanzhong) is used with Biota tops (Cebaiye), Agrimony (Xianhecao) and Carbonized petiole of windmill palm (Zonglutan).

Dosage: 10-15 g

Cautions & Contraindications: The carbonized herb is used to stop bleeding

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Bamboo shavings (Zhuru)

Bamboo shavings (Zhuru)

Pharmaceutical Name: Caulis bambusae in taenis

Botanical Name: Phyliostachys nigra var. henonis Stapf

Common Name: Bamboo shavings.

Source of Earliest Record: Mingyi Bielu

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: After the outside green skin has been removed, shavings are taken from the outer part of the bamboo. This can be done all year round.

Properties & Taste: Sweet and slightly cold.

Meridians: Lung, stomach and gall bladder.

Functions: 1. To clear heat and resolve phlegm; 2. To relieve irritability and stop vomiting

Indications & Combinations:

1. Cough due to heat in the lungs manifested as cough with yellow thick sputum: Bamboo shavings (Zhuru) is used with Scutellaria root (Huangqin) and Trichosanthes fruit (Gualou).

2. Mind disturbed by phlegm-heat manifested as irritability, insomnia, palpitations, stifling sensation in the chest and cough with yellow sputum: Bamboo shavings (Zhuru) is used with Immature bitter orange (Zhishi), Tangerine peel (Chenpi) and Poria (Fuling) in the formula Wendan Tang.

3. Nausea and vomiting caused by heat in the stomach: Bamboo shavings (Zhuru) is used with Coptis root (Huanglian), Tangerine peel (Chenpi), Pinellia tuber (Banxia) and Fresh ginger (Shengjiang).

Dosage: 6-10 g

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Bamboo leaf (Zhuye)

Bamboo leaf (Zhuye)

Pharmaceutical Name: Folium bambusae

Botanical Name: Phyllostachy nigra (Lodd.) Munro var. henonis (Mitf.) Stapf ex Rendle

Common Name: Bamboo leaf, Bambusa

Source of Earliest Record: Mingyi Bielu.

Part Used & Method for Pharamceutical Preparations: The leaves are picked at any time. It is best to prepare fresh leaves for use.

Properties & Taste: Sweet and cold.

Meridians: Heart, lung and stomach.

Functions: 1. To clear heat and relieve irritability; 2. To promote urination

Indications & Combinations:

1. Thirst in febrile disease: Bamboo leaf (Zhuye) is used with Gypsum (Shigao) and Ophiopogon root (Maidong) in the formula Zhuye Shigao Tang.

2. Flaring up of heart fire manifested as ulceration in the mouth or on the tongue; or heart fire shifting to the small intestine manifested as dribbling urination: Bamboo leaf (Zhuye) is used with Clematis stem (Mutong) and Fresh rehmannia root (Shengdihuang) in the formula Daochi San.

Dosage: 6-15 g

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Bamboo juice (Zhuli)

Bamboo juice (Zhuli)

Phyllostachys nigra

Pharmaceutical Name: Saccus Bambusae in Taeniam.

Botanical Name: 1. Phyllostachys nigra var. henonis Stapf; 2. Bambusa tuldoides Munro; 3. Sinocalamus breecheyanus (Munro) McClure var. pubescens P. F. Li

Common Name: Bamboo juice.

Source of Earliest Record: Mingyi Bielu.

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The bamboo juice is collected after the green bamboo has been burned.

Properties & Taste: Sweet and cold.

Meridians: Lung and stomach.

Functions: To clear heat and resolve phlegm.

Indications & Combinations:

1. Phlegm-heat cough manifested as cough with thick, yellow sputum and chest pain: Bamboo juice (Zhuli) is used with Loquat leaf (Pipaye) and Trichosanthes fruit (Gualou).

2. Windstroke due to heart misted by phlegm, epilepsy or manic psychosis: Bamboo juice (Zhuli) is used with Ginger juice (Jiangzhi).

Dosage: 30-50 g

Cautions & Contraindications: This herb is contraindicated for cough caused by cold and in cases with diarrhea caused by spleen deficiency.

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