Birthwort fruit (ma dou ling)

Aristolochia debilis

Traditionally attributed effects: was used for cough with a lot of phlegm and high blood pressure; banned because of kidney damage.

Safety notes

Toxic or risky: only under expert supervision. Deliberately no dosage is given here. Contains aristolochic acid, which even in small amounts irreversibly damages the kidneys and causes cancer of the urinary tract. In the Netherlands and the EU products with aristolochia are banned. Do not use. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.

Cautions by tradition (1)

Chinese materia medica: Banned: do not use.

Preparation

Fruit. Deliberately no dosage is given here.

Use in traditions

Described in the classical Chinese materia medica, in the group 'herbs that transform phlegm and stop cough'. Ma dou ling was used for coughs, but contains aristolochic acid, which causes kidney damage and cancer. China has severely restricted its use; in the EU Aristolochia species are banned in herbal remedies.

Applications

Use by tradition

How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.

Chinese materia medica

Nature and taste: bitter, slightly pungent, cold
Meridians: lung, large intestine

Attributed effects

The book describes use for cough and wheezing with a lot of phlegm, lung heat with yellow phlegm and high blood pressure from rising liver yang.

Preparation and amount

Deliberately no dosage is given here: only under the supervision of a qualified therapist. For cough with yellow phlegm there are safe alternatives such as loquat leaf, qian hu and huang qin.

Caution: Banned: do not use.

Formulas: Zi xue dan

Sources

All herbs from Asia →