Nature: bitter, acrid, slightly cold
Enters: Stomach, Liver, Gallbladder
Actions: Relaxes the tendons and muscles; clears deficiency heat; eliminates wind-dampness; resolves dampness and relieves jaundice (damp-heat); moistens the intestines, unblocks the bowels.
Indications:
• Wind-damp: Bi with muscle and tendon spasms.
• Yin deficiency: tidal fever, steaming bone disorder.
• Dryness of the intestines: constipation.
• Damp-heat: jaundice, especially in acute cases and in infants.
• Only herb in this category that is not very drying. Use in formulas with other wind-damp herbs to counteract their drying qualities. Safe with Yin or blood deficiency.
• Antibacterial/fungal.
• May treat meningitis (used successfully by IM injection in study).
MLT: Anti-inflammatory.
Li: Can astringe sweats.
Hsu: Hypotensive, antiarthritic, analgesic, increases secretions from adrenal cortex.
DY: Guides to the spine and lumbar area.
Dose: 4.5-12g