Cyperus Tuber (Xiangfu)
| Pharmaceutical Name: | Rhizoma Cyperi |
| Botanical Name: | Cyperus rotundus L. |
| Common Name: | Cyperus tuber Nutgrass rhizome |
| Source of Earliest Record: | Mingyi Bielu |
| art Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: | The rhizomes are dug in September or October. They are cleaned and dried in the sun. The fibrous roots are burned away, leaving the rhizomes ready for use. |
| Properties and Taste: | Pungent, slightly bitter, slightly sweet and neutral. |
| Meridian: | Liver and triple jiao |
| Functions: | To promote the free flow of Qi in the liver To regulate menstruation and stop pain. |
| Indications and Combinations: | 1. Spreads the Liver, Regulates Qi: Liver Qi stagnation: Clinically, Xiang Fu (Rhizoma Cyperi) is commonly used to treat Liver Qi stagnation characterized by hypochondriac pain and epigastric abdominal fullness and pain. Secondary symptoms include emotional disturbances and poor appetite, chest congestion and frequent sighing. This herb is also excellent in relieving stomach pain caused by stress, as is seen in patients with peptic or duodenal ulcers. ~ Hypochondriac pain: use Xiang Fu with Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri), Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) and Zhi Ke (Fructus Aurantii). ~ Liver Qi attacking the stomach manifested as epigastric and abdominal distension and pain: use with Mu Xiang (Radix Aucklandiae), Fo Shou (Fructus citri Sarcodactylis), Sha Ren (Fructus Amomi) and Shen Qu (Massa Fermentata). ~ Cold and Qi stagnation in the stomach: Use with Gao Liang Jiang (Rhizoma Alpiniae Officinarum). ~ Stomach pain caused by stress: use this herb with Gao Liang Jiang (Rhizoma Alpiniae Officinarum), Mu Xiang (Radix Aucklandiae), chuan Lian Zi (Fructus Toosendan), Yan Hu Suo (Rhizoma Corydalis) and Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba). ~ Epigastric pain due to alternating cold and heat: use with Gao Liang Jiang (Rhizoma Alpiniae Officinarum), Wu Yao (Radix Linderae), Dan Shen (Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae), Tan Xiang (Lignum Santali Albi) and Sha Ren (Fructus Amomi). ~ Acid regurgiation: use Xiang Fu with Wa Leng Zi (Concha Arcae), hai Piao Xiao (Endoconcha Sepiae) and Bei Mu (Bulbus Fritillaria). Hernial pain: Xiang Fu can also be used to treat cold stagnation along the Liver channel that manifests in abdominal and hernial pain. ~ Hernial pain due to cold: use xiang Fu with Xiao Hui Xiang (Fructus Foeniculi) and Wu Yao (Radix Linderae). 2. Regulates menstruation, Relieves Pain Irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea and breast distention: Xiang Fu is commonly used to treat menstrual disorders or pre-menstrual syndrome arising from Liver Qi stagnation. This is an herb that regulates Qi in the blood level and can also lead blood to the Qi level to help generate blood. Because of this unique trait it is often used in pregnancy and postpartum women ho are blood-deficient. Xiang Fu is considered one of the most important herbs for treatment of obstetric/gynecologic disorders. ~ Irregular menstruation with breast distention and abdominal pain: use Xiang Fu with Dang Gi (Radicis Angelicae Sinensis), Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong), Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) and Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri). ~ Breast distention or breast nodules: add Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri), Qing Pi (Pericarpium citri Reticulatae Viride), Wang Bu Liu Xing (Semen Vaccariae) and Gua Lou Shi (Fructus Trichosanthis). ~ Dysmenorrhea : combine Xiang Fu with Wu Ling Zhi (Excrementum Trogopteri seu Pterom), Pu Huang (Pollen Typhae) and Yan Hu suo (Rhizoma Corydalis). |
| Dosage: | 6-12 g. Xiang Fu can be used as herbal decoction, powder, or pills. Frying the herb with vinegar enhances its functon to reduce accumulations and relieve pain. Frying the her with grain-based liquor increases its function to open channels and collaterals. Frying the herb with ginger potentiates its action to dissolve phlegm stagnation and unblock Liver Qi stagnation. |
| Cautions: | Use Xiang Fu with caution for patients experiencing Qi deficiency in the absence of stagnation, or yin deficiency with heat in the blood. |