Nature: acrid, sweet, warm

Enters: Liver, Kidney, (Hong Jin: Spleen)

Actions: Tonifies kidney Yang; eliminates wind-damp; tonifies Yin and Yang to harness rising liver Yang.

Indications:
• Kidney Yang deficiency: impotence, seminal emission, frequent urination, forgetfulness, withdrawal, weak, painful, cold lumbar region and knees.
• Wind-cold-damp: pain or numbness in the limbs, spasms or cramps in the hands and feet, joint pain.
• Liver/kidney deficiency with subsequent liver Yang rising: low back pain, dizziness, menstrual irregularity.
• Sexual effects: increases sexual activity, sperm production, desire; androgen-like effects on testes, prostate and levator ani.
• May possess expectorant and antitussive qualities.
• Watch out for arisal of heat symptoms from use of this herb – contraindicated with Yin deficiency heat. Very drying.
• Particularly useful for Bi syndrome in patients with waning Ming Men fire.
• Often steeped in wine for kidney Yang deficiency or painful obstruction.
Jin: Also warms spleen Yang.
Hsu: Aphrodisiac (stimulates secretion of semen, indirectly promoting sexual desire).
• Hypotensive – dilates peripheral blood vessels, inhibits vasomotor center in the brain.
• Antitussive, expectorant, anti-asthmatic effects.
• Small doses are diuretic, large doses are antidiuretic.

Dose: 6-15g