INDIVIDUAL HERBS

Pharmaceutical Latin: Herba Polygoni Avicularis
Common English: Knotgrass
Knotweed
Polygonum
Herbs that Drain Dampness (Diuretics)
Taste Temperature Entering Meridians Dosage
Bitter
Slightly Cold
(Cool)
(Neutral)
Bladder
8-16g
Tincture: 2-4ml
Actions Indications/Syndromes

Drains Damp-Heat from the Urinary Bladder, promotes urination and unblocks painful urinary dysfunction

Damp-Heat Painful Urinary Dysfunction (Lin Syndrome)

Damp-Heat jaundice

Expels parasites and stops itching

Damp lesions with itch including tinea

Intestinal parasites such as tapeworm, hookworm and pinworm
CONTRAINDICATIONS
  • Contraindicated for those with difficult urination due to abdominal weakness.
  • Overdose can cause Qi Deficiency.
  • It may cause dermatitis or gastrointestinal disturbance.
  • Over consumption can cause depletion of Jing.
INCOMPATIBILITIES
HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS
  • Concurrent use with diuretics such as chlorothiazide, hydrochlorothiazide, furmoside (Lasix), bumetinide (Bumex) and torsemide (Demadex) may lead to increased elimination of water and/or electrolytes.

Hb. Dianthi
Qu Mai
Sm. Plantaginis
Che Qian Zi

Hb. Cirsii
Xiao Ji
Rz. Imperatae
Bai Mao Gen
(Pollen Typhae)
(Pu Huang )

Hb. Lysimachiae/Desmodii/Glechomae
Jin Qian Cao/Guang Jin Qian Cao/Lian Qian Cao
Spora Lygodii
Hai Jin Sha

Damp-Heat in the Lower Jiao or Stone Lin with urinary discomfort.

Blood (Xue) Lin.

Stone Lin.

Fr. Kochiae
Di Fu Zi
(Rx. Sophorae Flavescentis)
(Ku Shen)

Fr. Quisqualis
Shi Jun Zi
Fr. Mume
Wu Mei
(Pericarpium Zanthoxyli)
(Hua Jiao)

Sm. Torreyae
Fei Zi
Rx. Stemonae
Bai Bu
Sm. Arecae
Bing Lang

Topically as a wash for Damp-Heat induced genital itching.

Roundworms.

As an external wash for pinworms.

Hb. Dianthi
Qu Mai

Caulis Akebiae
Mu Tong
Sm. Plantaginis
Che Qian Zi
Fr. Gardeniae
Zhi Zi
Talcum
Hua Shi

Rx. et Rz. Rhei
Da Huang
Hb. Artemisiae Scopariae
Yin Chen Hao
Fr. Gardeniae
Zhi Zi

Painful urinary dysfunction.

Damp-Heat dysuria. (Shi-Re Lin)

Jaundice.

Rz. Atractylodis
Cang Zhu
Cx. Phellodendri
Huang Bai
Cx. Dictamni
Bai Xian Pi
Rx. Sophorae Flavescentis
Ku Shen

Hb. Artemisiae Scopariae
Yin Chen Hao
Fr. Gardeniae
Zhi Zi

 

Eczema.

Damp-Heat jaundice.

 

  1. This herb is most appropriate when Heat and Dampness are equally severe.
  2. This herb is also used for Damp-Heat jaundice and dysenteric disorders, due to Damp-Heat and Damp-Heat sores and itchy rashes.
  3. It treats weeping rashes, hemorrhoids, the three parasites, sudden turmoil disorder and vaginal erosion.
  4. it can be used topically as a wash for itching due to parasites.
  5. Both Bian Xu and Hb. Dianthi Qu Mai clear Heat and facilitate the removal of pathogenic water to unblock painful urinary dysfunction. They are often used together to treat burning, painful and difficult urination Bian Xu is bitter, directs downward and directly enters the Bladder to cool Damp-Heat and is superior for scanty, dark and difficult -to-pass urine due to Damp-Heat. It can also be used for Damp-Heat jaundice. Qu Mai facilitates the function of the Small Intestine to guide Internal Heat outward and is better for burning pain during urination or hematuria due to Heat. It also breaks up blood Stasis and unblocks the channels to treat amenorrhea.
  6. In Western herbology, Bian Xu is also used to treat gout and rheumatism.