Key Characteristics: resolves constrained heat, directs damp-heat downward and out through the urine, cools the blood, breaks up toxic accumulations
Properties:
Bitter, cold
Meridian/Organs Affected:
Heart, Lungs, Stomache, Liver, Triple Burner
Actions:
- drains heat and eliminates irritability: for heat patterns with fever, irritability, restlessness, stifling sensation in the chest, insomnia, or delirious speech
- clears heat and resolves dampness: for painful urinary dribbling due to damp heat in the lower burner; damp heat and constrained Liver and Gallbladder with jaundice; and damp heat in the Gall bladder and Triple Burner channels of the face, affecting the nose and eyes or causing sores in the mouth or facial region
- cools the blood and resolves toxicity: for heat in the blood with such symptoms as nosebleed, blood in the vomit, stool or urine; for this purpose the herb is partially charred
- reduces swelling and moves blood stasis due to trauma: for this purpose apply topically as powder mixed with egg or vinegar