|
Arctium fruit (Niubangzi)
Pharmaceutical Name: Fructus Arctii
Botanical Name: Arctium lappa L.
Common Name: Arctium fruit, Burdock fruit
Source of Earliest Record: Mingyi Bielu
Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical
Preparations: The fruit is gathered in autumn
and dried in the sun. The raw fruit can be
used, or it can be baked and smashed and then
used.
Properties & Taste: Pungent, bitter
and cold
Meridians: Lung and stomach
Functions:
1. To disperse wind-heat and benefit the throat;
2. To release toxins and bring rashes to the
surface
Indications & Combinations:
1. Sore throat caused by invasion of wind
and heat. Arctium fruit (Niubangzi) is used
with Platycodon root (Jiegeng), Mentha (Bohe)
and Schizonepeta (Jingjie) in the formula
Niubang Tang.
2. Incomplete expression of measles rash.
To encourage rashes to the surface, Arctium
fruit (Niubangzi) is used with Cimicifuga
rhizome (Shengma), Pueraria root (Gegen) and
Mentha (Bohe).
3. Toxic heat manifested as swelling, carbuncles
and mumps. Arctium fruit (Niubangzi) is used
with Viola (Zihuadiding) and Wild chrysanthemum
flower (Yejuhua).
Dosage: 3-10 g
Cautions & Contraindications: This herb
should be used with caution. It is contraindicated
in patients with diarrhea. |
