Callerya, Niu Da Li 牛大力

“Cow Big Power”, Showy Millettia, Golden Bell Root, Mountain Lotus root

Callerya speciosa Niu Da Li root
(Photo by Adam, 2024)

Botanical name:

Callerya speciosa (syn. Millettia speciosa, Nanhaia speciosa)

Parts used:

Root

Temperature & Taste:

Neutral, Sweet, slightly Bitter

Classification:

Uses:

1. Strengthens Spleen, Increases Qi:
–Fatigue, deficiency
–Chronic Hepatitis
–Spermatorrhea
–Leukorrhea
–Anti-cancer
–regarded as prolonging life

2. Clears Heat, Moistens Lungs:
–Lung deficiency Cough, Asthma
–Chronic Bronchitis
–Tuberculosis
–Pleurisy
–regarded as good for smokers

3. Strengthens Kidneys, Activates Collaterals:
–Kidney deficiency
–Lumbar muscle strain
–Rheumatoid Arthritis
–Motor Neuron Disease

4. Clears Heat, Resists Poison:
–good for those who eat, drink and smoke too much, and stay up late

Dose:

Decoction: 10–30 grams

Comment:

Callerya Niu Da Li is an important tonic medicine in Cantonese culture.

Preparation:

The roots are washed and sun-dried, or else steamed, then dried.

Main Combinations:

1. Lower Back strain:
i. Callerya, Eucommia Du Zhong, Dipsacus Xu Duan
ii. Callerya, Chestnut and Oyster as a soup
2. Qi Tonic, Callerya with Astragalus Huang Qi, Poria Fu Ling, Licorice
3. Leukorrhea with deficiency, Callerya, Eucommia Du Zhong, Poria Fu Ling
4. Pleurisy, Callerya with Andrographis
5. Clear Heat and Poison, Callerya with China root (Tu Fu Ling)