Cyathula Root (Niu Xi)
| Pharmaceutical Name: | Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix Cyathulae |
| Botanical Name: | Achyranthes bidentata B1. Cyathula Officinalis Kuan |
| Common Name: | Achyranthes root Cyathula root |
| Source of Earliest Record: | Shennong Bencao Jing |
| art Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: | The roots are dug in winter, dried and cut into slices. |
| Properties and Taste: | Bitter, sour and neutral |
| Meridian: | Liver and kidney |
| Functions: | To invigorate blood, release stagnation and promote menstruation To tonify liver and kidneys, and strengthen the tendons and muscles To promote urination and relieve urinary disorders To conduct blood flow downward |
| Indications and Combinations: | 1. Blood stagnation manifested as amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation and pains due to external injuries. *Use with Peach seed (Tao ren), Safflower (Hong hua), Chinese angelica root (Dang gui) and Corydalis tuber (Yan hu suo). 2. Deficiency of the liver and kidneys manifested as soreness and weakness in the lumbar region and legs. *Use with Mulberry mistletoes (Sang ji sheng), Eucommia bark (Du zhong) and Cibot rhizome (Gou ji). 3. Extravasation of blood by heat manifested as vomiting with blood and epistaxis. *Use with Small thistle (Xiao ji), Biota tops (Ce bai ye) and Imperata rhizome (Bai mao gen). 4. Deficient yin with hyperactive yang leading to internal liver wind going upward manifested as headache, dizziness and vertigo. *Use with Red ochre (Dai zhe shi), Oyster shell (Mu li) and Dragon’s bone (Long gu) in the formula Zhengan Xifeng Tang. 5. Deficient yin and excessive fire manifested as ulceration of the mouth and gum swelling. *Use with Fresh rehmannia root (Sheng di huang) and Anemarrhena rhizome (Zhi mu). 6. Urinary tract disorders manifested as painful urination, hematuria and dysuria. *Use with Ricepaper pith (Tong cao), Talc (Hua shi) and Pink (Qu mai) in the formula Niuxi Tang. |
| Dosage: | 6-15 g |
| Cautions: | This herb is contraindicated during pregnancy, or with profuse menstrual flow. |