INDIVIDUAL HERBS

Pharmaceutical Latin: Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae
Common English: Smooth Greenbriar Rhizome
Glabrous Greenbriar Rhizome
China Root
Smilax
Herbs That Clean Heat and Purge Fire: Herbs That Clean Heat and Detoxify; Target Warm and Heat Diseases
Taste Temperature Entering Meridians Dosage
Sweet
Bland
Neutral
Liver
Stomach
15-60g
Tincture: 2-4ml
Actions Indications/Syndromes

Relieves toxicity and eliminates Dampness (benefits the joints)

Fire toxicity with turbid, painful urination

Damp-Heat (jaundice)

Damp-Heat Bi (joint pain)

Clears Damp-Heat from the skin

Chuang Yung (recurrent ulcers or other hot skin lesions)

Promotes normal urination (dispels Heat from the Lower Jiao)

Re (Heat) Lin with burning, painful urination

CONTRAINDICATIONS
  • Caution in Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency.
  • Do not take with tea containing tannin.
INCOMPATIBILITIES
HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

Sm. Coicis
Yi Yi Ren

Rx. Dioscoreae
Bei Xie

Hb. Taraxaci
Pu Gong Ying

Joint pain due to Damp-Heat toxin.

Joint pain and turbid urine due to Damp-Heat toxin.

Jaundice due to Damp-Heat in the Liver/Gallbladder.

Rz. Imperatae
Bai Mao Gen
Caulis Akebiae
Mu Tong

or

Hb. Taraxaci
Pu Gong Ying

Caulis Akebiae
Mu Tong

Rz. Chuanxiong
Chuan Xiong

Cx. Dictamni
Bai Xian Pi

Hot, painful urinary dysfunction with scanty, dark, painful urination. (Re Lin)

Raises the clear Yang while directing turbid Qi downward, moves Qi, invigorates the Blood, clears Heat and removes Dampness for headache from constrained Damp-Heat in the Liver channel.

Skin lesions associated with Damp-Heat.

Flos Lonicerae
Jin Yin Hua
Flos Chrysanthemi Indici
Ye Ju Hua

Fr. Kochiae
Di Fu Zi
Rx. Sophorae Flavescentis
Ku Shen
Rz. Atractylodis
Cang Zhu

Flos Lonicerae
Jin Yin Hua
Cx. Dictamni
Bai Xian Pi

Rx. Glycyrrhizae
Gan Cao

Abscesses and boils.

Eczema, carbuncles, Damp sores or psoriasis.

Syphilis.

  1. This herb can neutralize mercury poisoning.
  2. It is excellent for treating syphilis especially in the secondary and tertiary stages.
  3. It was once used widely for treating syphilis.
  4. One source says that this herb promotes the functions of the Spleen and Stomach and strengthens the bones and muscles.
  5. This herb has been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
  6. One source says that this herb drains Damp-Heat and relieves poisoning from Calomelas (Hydrargyrum) Qing Fen hence is used to treat syphilis, joint pain, sore throat and all malignant diseases.
  7. It is said to treat psoriasis.
  8. For malignant carbuncles, apply a decoction of this herb topically.
  9. Its western relative is sarsaparilla with nearly identical usage.
  10. Both Tu Fu Ling and Rx. Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Bei Xie are sweet and neutral, cool heat, remove Dampness, expel Wind and eliminate painful obstruction. Tu Fu Ling focuses on the Liver and Stomach channels. It resolves toxic Dampness, expels Wind and unblocks painful obstruction. It was traditionally used to treat and its associated skin rashes, sores, and the spasms that may occur in later stages. Bei Xie focuses on the Liver and Kidney channels. it is best at separating the pure from the turbid, cooling Heat and removing Dampness for treating Milky Lin, Wind-Damp Bi and spermatorrhea from Damp-Heat. They both treat feelings of Urinary Bladder prolapse and burning sensations in the genitals.