Kadsura, Hong Gu She 红骨蛇

Hong Gu She (TCM)
Picture Kadsura japonica
Siebold, P.F. von, Zuccarini, J.G., Flora Japonica (1842-1870)

Picture Kadsura japonica
(Photo by KENPEI) (Wikimedia)

Botanical name:


Kadsura japonica (syn. Uvaria japonica)

Parts used:


Root

Temperature & Taste:


Cool, dry. Pungent, Bitter

Classification:


D. Clear Wind and Damp

Uses:


1. Clears Wind-Damp, Opens the Channels, Eases Pain:
-Wind-Damp Muscle and Joint pain
-Spasms and Cramps
-Headache and Body aches from acute Wind-Heat
-Dizziness

2. Clears Heat and Damp:
-Diarrhea with abdominal pain and vomiting

3. Used for Diabetes:
-auxiliary medicine for Diabetes


Dose:


Decoction: 3–9 grams

Comment:


Do not confuse with Piper kadsura Hai Feng Teng.

Main Combinations:


1. Wind-Damp joint and muscle pain:
i. Kadsura with Saposhnikovia Fang Feng
ii. Kadsura with Helminthostachys Dao Di Wu Gong
2. Damp-Heat Diarrhea:
i. Kadsura with Scutellaria Huang Qin
ii. Kadsura with Centella (Ji Xue Cao)
3. Dizziness:
i. from excess, Kadsura with Gastrodia Tian Ma, Genitiana Long Dan Cao, Scutellaria Huang Qin
ii. from deficiency, Kadsura with Gastrodia Tian Ma, Dang Gui, Paeonia Bai Shao, Zizyphus spinosa Suan Zao Ren

Major Formulas:



Cautions:


None noted

Main Preparations used: