Guan Zhong贯众
Dryopteris Rhizoma · Dryopteris Rhizome · Male Fern Rhizome
Overview
A fern rhizome that sits in two chapters at once: bitter, slightly cold and recorded as toxic, it kills intestinal parasites, clears heat and resolves toxin, and — charred as — cools the blood to stop bleeding. Several botanically different ferns are traded under this name and they do not share the same toxicity, so identification by the dispensary matters as much as the dose.
Nature & Flavor
Bitter · Slightly cold · Slightly toxicChannels
Liver · SpleenTypical Dosage
4.5–9 g in decoctionActions
3 core actions
- Kills parasitesTapeworm, roundworm and hookworm; traditionally given in short, supervised courses because the effective dose sits close to the toxic one.
- Clears heat, resolves toxinWarm-heat and epidemic febrile presentations, sore swollen throat; historically taken during outbreaks as a preventive.
- Charred, cools blood and stops bleedingHeavy uterine bleeding and blood in the stool from heat in the blood — the charred form only.
In Formulas
Formulas containing Guan Zhong
No published formula lists this herb yet — the library is growing.
Indications & Clinical Uses
- Intestinal parasites
- Heat-toxin febrile presentations, sore throat
- Uterine bleeding and blood in the stool from blood heat (charred form)
Western Medical Keywords
Searchable condition terms
Contraindications
Cautions
This herb is toxic. It is dispensed on prescription only, in short courses, at the practitioner's stated dose and never self-administered. Overdose has caused vomiting, diarrhea, tremor and visual disturbance, and the toxic constituents burden the liver and can affect the optic nerve. Do not take it with oily or fatty food, which increases absorption. Avoid in liver disease, in frail patients, and in children except under close supervision. Because several fern species are sold under this name with differing toxicity, use only clearly identified pharmacopoeial material. Contraindicated in pregnancy.
Contraindicated in pregnancy: Contraindicated in pregnancy — the herb is toxic and is traditionally regarded as harmful to the fetus
For licensed practitioners’ reference only
References
- Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing《神农本草经》(classical source, public domain).
2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.
Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.