Clerodendrum trichotomum, Chou Wu Tong 臭梧桐
Chou Wu Tong (TCM)
Curtis’s Botanical Magazine, vol. 107 (1881)
Clerodendrum trichotomum(Photo by Jean-Pol GRANDMONT) (Wikimedia)
Botanical name:
Clerodendrum trichotomum (syn. Clerodendron)
Other species used include C. bungei and C. fragrans
Parts used:
Leaf
Temperature & Taste:
Cool, dry. Pungent, Sweet, Bitter
Classification:
D. Clear Wind and Damp
Uses:
1. Clears Wind-Damp:
-Wind-Damp joint and muscles pain
-Numbness in the extremities; Hemiplegia
-also Damp-type Eczema with itching
2. Calms the Liver, Settles Wind:
-Headache, Dizziness, Vertigo
-Hypertension
3. Externally:
-applied topically to Eczema. It may be used in washes, baths, or as a paste etc.
-applied to relieve Hemorrhoids
Dose:
Decoction: 5–15 grams
Substitute:
Sigesbeckia Xi Xian Cao is similar in effect and may generally be substituted. The two are often combined
Main Combinations:
1. Wind-Damp Rheumatism, Numbness, Hemiplegia and Eczema, Clerodendron Chou Wu Tong with Sigesbeckia Xi Xian Cao (as in Xi Tong Wan)
2. Dizziness, Vertigo, Hypertension:
i. Powder can be used alon ein long-term treatment of Hypertension
ii. Clerodendron Chou Wu Tong with Sigesbeckia Xi Xian Cao
iii. Clerodendron Chou Wu Tong with Self Heal (Xia Ku Cao)
Major Formulas:
Cautions:
1. Avoid overdose. Very large doses are toxic, causing vomiting and diarrhea.
2. Avoid in Cold and weakness of the Stomach.