Lindera root (wu yao)

Lindera aggregata (syn. L. strychnifolia)

Traditionally attributed effects: warms and moves qi in pain from cold; warms the kidneys in frequent urination.

Safety notes

Not with qi deficiency or internal heat. 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

Root. Usually as a decoction, together with other herbs.

Use in traditions

Described in the classical Chinese materia medica, in the group 'herbs that regulate the qi'. Wu yao warms and regulates the qi in the lower abdomen, for abdominal pain due to cold, frequent urination and bedwetting; it is part of Suo Quan Wan. According to a legend the emperor Qin Shi Huang sought this plant as an elixir of life.

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: pungent, warm
Meridians: spleen, lung, kidney, bladder, stomach

Attributed effects

For pain and a distended feeling in abdomen and stomach area from cold, menstrual pain, hernia, and frequent or involuntary urination from cold in the kidneys.

Preparation and amount

Traditional dosage: 3–9 g a day, usually in a decoction.

Combinations

With mu xiang for hernia and painful testicles
With dang gui and chuanxiong for menstrual pain
With yi zhi ren and Chinese yam for night-time urination

Ways to prepare herbs: Decoction
Formulas: Ge xia zhu yu tang Jia wei wu yao tang Wu yao shun qi san

Sources

All herbs from Asia →