Akebia Fructus, Ba Yue Zha 八月札

Chocolate Vine
Ba Yue Zha (Fruit), Yu Zhi Zi (Seed) (TCM)

Akebia quinata
Lindley, J., Edwards’s Botanical Register (1829-1847)

Botanical name:

Akebia spp.
1. A. quinata
2. A. trifoliata
3. A. trifoliata var. australis

Parts used:

Fruit

Temperature & Taste:

Neutral. Bitter

Classification:

J. Regulates Qi

Uses:

1. Moves Liver Qi, Opens Obstructions:
-Chest or Hypochondriac pain
-abdominal pain from Qi stagnation
-Hernia, pain of the Testicles
-Amenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea

2. Moves Qi, Clears Phlegm, Resolves Masses:
-Scrofula, Lymphatic swellings
-Breast Tumors, Fibrocytic Breasts

3. Promotes Urine:
-Oliguria, obstructed Urine
-painful urination from Stones

4. Resists Poison:
-Snake and Insect Bite (Seed)

Dose:

Decoction of the Fruit: 6–12 grams
Decoction of the Seed: 3–9 grams
Powder of the Fruit: 1–3 grams

Main Combinations:

1. Liver and Stomach Qi stagnation with chest and hypochondriac pain, Akebia fruit, Cyperus (Xiang Fu), Melia (Chuan Lian Zi), Citrus Zhi Ke
2. Scrofula, Akebia fruit, Fritillaria thunbergi Zhe Bei Mu
3. Fibrocytic Breasts:
i. Akebia fruit, Citrus Qing Pi, Cyperus Xiang Fu, Paeonia Mu Dan Pi
ii. Akebia fruit, Wasp Nest (Feng Fang), Citrus Qing Pi,
4. Obstructed Urine from Damp, Akebia fruit with Alisma Ze Xie and Plantain seed (Che Qian Zi)
5. Hernia, Akebia fruit, Fennel seed (Xiao Hui Xiang), Citrus Chen Pi

Major Formulas:

Cautions:

1. Not used during Pregnancy

Akebia Fructus, Ba Yue Zha PRO