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Wū Yào 烏藥

Pharmaceutical name Linderae Radix lindera root "raven-black medicine"
Category Regulate Qi
Key Properties Smooths flow of Qi
Disperses cold
Alleviates pain
Properties Acrid
Warm
Tropism UB, KD, LU, SP
Actions & Indications 1) Promotes Movement of Qi & Alleviates Pain (Shan, bulging Disorder)
2) Warms the Kidney (incontinence d/t KD Yang Def)
Dosages 3-9g
Contraindications (TCM) CI: Significant Qi & Blood Def or Interior Heat
Can disperse Qi and deplete blood
Contraindications (Western)
Chemical Composition Lindeneol, lindenene, linderoxide, isolinderoxide, isofuranogermacrene, lindestrene, lindestrenolide, linderalactone, isolinderalactone, linderane, neolinderalactone, laurolitsine, linderol, linderic acid
Pharmacological Effects • Gastrointestinal: increases secretion of gastric acid; has dual effect on intestines, may cause either contraction or relaxation of smooth muscle; contraction increases intestinal peristalsis and expulsion of gas, and relaxation relieves spasms and cramps
• Metabolic: long-term use as food led to an increase in body weight in rats
• Hemostatic: powder shortens coagulation time in rabbits and may be used to stop bleeding
Herb-Drug Interactions
Classical Formula(s)

Tu Si Zi Wan (Cuscuta Seed Pill) 菟絲子丸

Bi Xie Fen Qing Yin (Dioscorea Hypoglauca Decoction to Separate the Clear) 萆薢分清飲

Jia Wei Wu Yao Tang (Augmented Lindera Decoction) 加味烏藥湯

Nuan Gan Jian (Warm the Liver Decoction) 暖肝煎

Si Mo Tang (Four Milled-Herb Decoction) 四磨湯

Suo Quan Wan (Restrict the Fountain Pill) 縮泉丸 (缩泉丸)

Tian Tai Wu Yao San (Top-Quality Lindera Powder) 天臺烏藥散 (天台烏药散)

Shi Liu Wei Liu Qi Yin (Sixteen Ingredient Drink for Qi Flow) 十六味流氣飲



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This information is a reference tool for Chinese herbal studies. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Please consult a primary health professional if you require health advisory.