Stellera chamaejasme, Re lcag pa རེ་ལྕག་པ
Chinese StelleraRe lcag pa (Tibetan)
Lang Du (TCM)
Stellera chamaejasmePhoto: Jan Reurink (Wikimedia)
Botanical name:
Stellera chamaejasme
Parts used:
Root
Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Bitter. Toxic.
Uses:
1. Promotes Urine, Purges Water:
-Edema, Water retention (TCM)
2. Clears Phlegm, Resolves Masses:
-Phlegm accumulation and obstruction
-Cough, Asthma
-Scrofula, Fibroid, Cancer (Tibet, TCM)
-Tumors, masses, accumulation of a cold nature (Phlegm-Wind)
-anti-tumor and anti-cancer effects against various cell lines have been demonstrated.
3. Resolves Accumulation:
-Food accumulation
-disorders of mixed Bile, Phlegm and Wind associated with improper digestion
-Pain in the Chest or Abdomen
4. Kills Worms:
-Worm infestations (TCM, Tibet)
5. Externally:
-applied topically to toothache to relieve pain
-applied to skin diseases with rough and itchy skin
-Ulcers, Malignant Ulcers (Tibet)
-Dermatitis (Tibet)
-applied to Fractures
Dose:
In Nepal the roots are boiled for a long time until until the decoction is red. This is given for joint pain and gout.
Substitute:
1. It is closely related to Daphne (although herbaceous), and shares both similar properties and some similar chemical compounds. Daphne may be a suitable substitute.
Main Combinations:
Major Formulas:
Notopterygium 29 Pills (Spru nag nyer dgu)
Pomegranate All Inclusive Pill (Se ‘bru kun ‘dus) (Tibetan)
Cautions:
1. Toxic in overdose
2. Not suitable for dryness / Yin deficiency