Botanical Name: Dipsaci Radix
Xu Duan
Category: Tonify the Yang
Taste: Bitter, Sweet, Acrid
Temperature: Slightly Warm
Channels Entered: Kidney, Liver
Dosage: 9-18g
Key Characteristics: Tonifies the Kidneys and Liver, gently invigorates the blood, and calms the fetus during pregnancy.
Cautions & Contraindications:
- Contraindicated in painful obstruction from wind-damp-heat.
Actions & Indications:
- Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys, strengthens the sinews and bones: for sore and painful lower back and knees, stiffness in the joints, and weakness in the legs from Liver and Kidney deficiency. This herb is especially useful for these conditions as it tonifies without causing stagnation. Also used for urinary dribbling from Kidney deficiency.
- Calms the fetus and stops leakage: for restless fetus, bleeding during pregnancy, and threatened miscarriage. Also used for deficiency-related uterine bleeding and vaginal discharge.
- Promotes the movement of blood, alleviates pain, and reconnects the sinews and bones: often used for trauma and external disorders (such as sores), and especially for pain and swelling in the lower back and limbs from trauma. For this purpose it can be applied topically or taken internally. Can also be used for painful obstruction.
