- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- South and Southeast Asia and southern China
- Traditions
- Chinese medical traditions
Asia · Herb · № 755
Cibotium barometz
Herb · Asia
Cibotium (gou ji)
Cibotium barometz
Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens kidney yang, bones and tendons in a stiff, painful lower back and knees.
Safety notes
Not with difficult urination from yin deficiency. The tree fern is on CITES Appendix II. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Preparation
Rhizome. Usually as a decoction, together with other herbs.
Use in traditions
Described in the classical Chinese materia medica, in the group 'tonics for kidney yang'. Gou ji means 'dog's spine', after the rhizome covered in golden-brown hairs. The hairs were laid on bleeding wounds; according to Chinese medicine the rhizome strengthens the back and knees.
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, sweet, warm
- Meridians
- kidney, liver
Attributed effects
For kidney yang deficiency with a stiff, painful lower back and knees from cold and wind-damp, involuntary loss of urine and chronic discharge.
Preparation and amount
Traditional dosage: 5–9 g a day, usually in a decoction.
Combinations
- With du zhong, xu duan, niu xi and sang ji sheng for a painful lower back and weak legs
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Decoction