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Cura x Cura

Hu Zhang虎杖

Polygoni Cuspidati Radix et Rhizoma · Japanese Knotweed Root · Bushy Knotweed

Herbs that Drain Dampness 利水渗湿药《名医别录》

Overview

The root and rhizome of Japanese knotweed, bitter and slightly cold, with an unusually broad reach for a damp-heat herb: it drains the damp-heat behind jaundice, resolves toxic swelling and dresses burns, moves blood stasis for fixed pain, and in larger amounts loosens the bowel. Wine-fried it leans further toward moving blood and easing traumatic pain.

Nature & Flavor

slightly bitter · Slightly cold

Channels

Liver · Gallbladder · Lung

Typical Dosage

9–15 g in decoction
虎杖Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Drains damp-heat, resolves jaundiceDamp-heat jaundice; damp-heat urinary dribbling and vaginal discharge.
  • Clears heat, resolves toxicityBoils and sores, snakebite, and scalds and burns dressed externally.
  • Invigorates blood, relieves painAmenorrhea with stasis, traumatic injury with fixed pain, painful obstruction in the joints. The wine-fried form is preferred here.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Hu Zhang

No published formula lists this herb yet — the library is growing.

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Damp-heat jaundice; damp-heat urinary and vaginal discharge patterns
    - Boils, sores, burns and scalds (also applied externally)
    - Amenorrhea, traumatic injury and joint pain from blood stasis
    - Phlegm-heat cough
    - Constipation with heat, at the upper end of the dose range

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

HepatitisJaundiceBurnsJoint pain

Contraindications

Cautions

Larger doses loosen the stool and can bring cramping diarrhea — unsuitable for anyone who already has loose stools or Spleen deficiency. It moves blood, so it is used cautiously with anticoagulant medication and withheld before surgery. Long uninterrupted courses are avoided: the anthraquinones it contains belong to the same class as the stimulant laxative herbs. Jaundice always needs a medical diagnosis alongside herbal treatment.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Contraindicated in pregnancy — it moves blood strongly and loosens the bowel

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Ming Yi Bie Lu《名医别录》(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.