Nature: acrid, warm
Enters: Lung, Spleen, Kidney, Bladder
Actions: Regulates Qi, relieves pain; warms the kidneys; disperses cold; spreads and unblocks the Qi mechanisms, smooths the flow of Qi, facilitates the middle.
Indications:
• Cold obstruction with Qi stagnation: distention in the chest; costal, hypochondriac, epigastric, abdominal and hernial pain; dysmenorrhea; borborygmus.
• Kidney/bladder yang deficiency cold: frequent urination or incontinence.
• While generally more restricted to cold problems, Wu yao treats a wider area than most herbs – for pain anywhere in the trunk from the genitals to the chest.
• Particularly useful for paraumbilical stagnation and stagnation in the lower abdomen.
MLT: Contains borneol – very penetrating and analgesic.
Hsu: Increases intestinal peristalsis, expels gas.
DY: Its area of pronounced action is the abdomen in general and the lower abdomen in particular. It can guide herbs to this area.
• Warms and scatters cold in the liver and kidney channels.
Dose: 3-9g
Dear Dr. Borten:
My interest in Wu Yao is primarally focused on bladder health. Is there a herb that is more targeted to this issue or is Wu Yao good in general. I am unsure as to the state of my Qi.
Thank You
Hello, I don’t know what exactly your bladder issue is, but Wu Yao is actually one of the last herbs that comes to my mind for bladder disorders – despite the fact that it does warm Kidney yang and treats frequent urination. Usually we think of herbs that drain dampness, various tonics, and astringents for bladder disorders, though, again, the actual issue – and more specifically, the diagnosis – is vital to know what to prescribe.