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Cura x Cura

Ji Li蒺藜

Tribuli Fructus · Tribulus Fruit · Puncture Vine Fruit

Herbs that Pacify the Liver and Extinguish Wind 平肝息风药Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing 《神农本草经》(recorded as 蒺藜子)

Overview

A small spiny fruit that works in two directions at once: it settles Liver yang rising to the head, and it disperses wind at the surface. Practitioners reach for it in headache and dizziness with irritability, in red itchy eyes, and in wind-type itchy rashes that come and go; it also opens constrained Liver qi behind breast distension and insufficient lactation. Dry-frying blunts the spines and is the form usually dispensed, being gentler and easier to handle. Also stocked under the older name Bai Ji Li.

Nature & Flavor

Acrid, bitter · Slightly warm

Channels

Liver

Typical Dosage

6–10 g in decoction
蒺藜Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

4 core actions

  • Calms the Liver, subdues rising yangHeadache, dizziness and irritability where Liver yang rises.
  • Courses the Liver, resolves constraintChest and breast distension, insufficient lactation, premenstrual tension from constrained Liver qi.
  • Dispels wind, stops itchingWind rash, urticaria and itching that shifts location and comes and goes.
  • Dispels wind, brightens the eyesRed, itchy, watering eyes and superficial visual obstruction from wind-heat.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Ji Li

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Headache and dizziness of rising Liver yang
    - Breast distension and insufficient lactation
    - Itchy wind rash and urticaria
    - Red, itchy eyes

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

UrticariaEczemaTension headacheConjunctivitis

Contraindications

Cautions

The Chinese Pharmacopoeia records Ji Li as slightly toxic: keep to the stated dose and do not extend a course without review. It is acrid and dispersing, so it is unsuitable in blood deficiency and in yin deficiency with heat, where it drains further what is already thin.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Use with caution in pregnancy — it moves and disperses, and the pharmacopoeia lists it as slightly toxic. Not for self-administration while pregnant.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. 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.