Lindera, Wu Yao 乌药

Spicebush
Wu Yao (TCM)
Picture Lindera aggregata
Photo by KENPEI (Wikimedia)

Botanical name:


Lindera aggregata (syn. L. strychnifolia) (Official)
L. chunii is also used.

Parts used:


Root

Temperature & Taste:


Warm, dry. Pungent

Classification:


J. Regulate Qi

Uses:


1. Moves the Qi, Eases Pain:
-chest, epigastric, abdominal or hypochondriac distention and pain, especially with Cold
-Gastric Ulcers, Gastritis (Barefoot Doctors Manual)
-Menstrual pain and cramping
-Asthma from cold and Qi stagnation
-“regulates all kinds of disorders of Qi” (Da Ming)

2. Warms the Kidneys, Clears Cold:
-Cold and pain of the Kidneys and Bladder
-Enuresis, frequent Urination
-Cold-type Hernia or Testicular pain
-Rheumatoid Arthritis, Back and Leg pain
-Chronic Prostatitis, Prostatic Hypertrophy associated with Yang deficiency
-“stops frequent urination with white and turbid urine” (Li Shi Zhen)

3. Clears the Channels, Opens Obstructions:
-Headache, Apoplexy (Barefoot Doctors Manual)
-Paralysis, Hemiplegia
-Trauma, Bruising


Dose:


Decoction: 3–10 grams
Powder: 1–3 grams
Leaves can be crushed for external application.

Comment:


“It has too numerous therapeutic functions to name them one by one” (Da Ming)

Main Combinations:


1. Hypochondriac distention and pain, Lindera Wu Yao with Curcuma Yu Jin, Corydalis Yan Hu Suo
2. Epigastric and abdominal pain, Lindera Wu Yao with Costus (Mu Xiang), Orange (Zhi Ke)
3. Epigastric and abdominal Coldness, Lindera Wu Yao with Aloeswood (Chen Xiang). (Kou Zong Shi)
4. Lower abdominal pain, Hernia or Testicular pain, Lindera Wu Yao with Fennel (Xiao Hui Xiang), Green Citrus peel (Qing Pi)
5. Menstrual pain and cramping, Lindera Wu Yao with Cyperus rotundus (Xiang Fu), Dang Gui
6. Enuresis:
i. Frequent Urination from cold and deficiency, Lindera Wu Yao with Alipinia oxyphylla Yi Zhi Ren
ii. Steamed Pig Bladder with Lindera Wu Yao, Dioscorea Huai Shan, Praying Mantis Egg Case Sang Piao Xiao. (Barefoot Doctors Manual)
7. Prostatitis, Prostatic Hypertrophy, Lindera Wu Yao with Paeonia rubra Chi Shao Yao, Peach kernel (Tao Ren), Safflower (Hong Hua), Cumin seed, Dandelion (Pu Gong Ying)
8. Qi and Blood stagnation below the diaphragm including Dysmenorrhea, Endometriosis and abdominal masses, Lindera Wu Yao with Dang Gui, Peach kernel (Tao Ren), Safflower (Hong Hua), Paeonia Mu Dan Pi, Cyperus rotundus (Xiang Fu), Corydalis Yan Hu Suo, Licorice
9. Dysmenorrhea from Blood stasis, Lindera Wu Yao with Peach kernel (Tao Ren), Safflower (Hong Hua), Notoginseng San Qi, Salvia Dan Shen, Dang Gui, Cyperus rotundus (Xiang Fu), Corydalis Yan Hu Suo,

Major Formulas:


Bi Xie Feng Qing Yin
Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang
Hu Po San
Mu Xiang Shun Qi Wan
Nuan Gan Jian
Si Mo Tang
Suo Quan Wan
Tian Tai Wu Yao San Wan
Tu Si Zi Wan
Zheng Qi Tian Xiang San

Cautions:


1. Avoid in patients with Heat, or marked Qi and Blood deficiency.
2. Not used long-term

Main Preparations used: