Dichondra, Ma Ti Jin 马蹄金

Ma Ti Jin (TCM)
Picture Dichondra repens
Ruiz, H., Pavón, J., Drawings of the Royal Botanical Expedition to the Viceroyalty of Peru (1777)

Picture Dichondra repens in flower
(Photo by Harry Rose) (Wikimedia)

Botanical name:


Dichondra repens (syn. D. microcalyx)

Parts used:


Whole Herb

Temperature & Taste:


Cool, dry. Bitter, Pungent

Classification:


C. Clears Damp, Promotes Urine:

Uses:


1. Clears Heat and Damp, Promotes Urine:
-Edema, Nephritis
-Urinary Stones
-Jaundice

2. Clears Heat, Resists Toxin:
-Dysentery
-Hepatitis


Dose:


Decoction: 3–12 grams

Substitute:


1. Ground Ivy (Glechoma)
2. Lysimachia Jin Qian Cao
3. Centalla

Main Combinations:


1. Urinary Stones, Dichondra with Lysimachia Jin Qian Cao
2. Jaundice, Dichondra with Rhubarb (Da Huang), Artemisia scoparia Yin Chen Hao
3. Dysentery:
i. Dichondra with Andrographis Chuan Xin Lian
ii. Dichondra with Coptis Huang Lian, Scutellaria Huang Qin, Costus (Mu Xiang)

Major Formulas:



Cautions:


Avoid use with Salt

Main Preparations used: