Lou Lu漏芦
Rhapontici Radix · Rhaponticum Root · Uniflower Swisscentaury Root
Overview
The dried root of Rhaponticum uniflorum, bitter and cold and directed at the Stomach channel. Its defining use is the breast: it clears heat and toxicity for breast abscess while at the same time opening what is blocked and freeing the flow of milk, which is why it appears in almost every classical prescription for mastitis. Beyond that it treats carbuncles and scrofula and relaxes sinews knotted by damp painful obstruction. Note that some markets supply Echinops root as — related in use, but a different plant.
Nature & Flavor
Bitter · ColdChannels
StomachTypical Dosage
5–9 g in decoctionActions
3 core actions
- Clears heat, resolves toxicity, reduces abscessBreast abscess with hot, red, painful swelling; carbuncles, deep-rooted sores and scrofulous nodules.
- Frees the flow of milkBlocked ducts and obstructed milk flow, where heat and stagnation are what stand in the way.
- Relaxes the sinews, unblocks the vesselsDamp painful obstruction with cramping, stiff sinews and aching joints.
In Formulas
Formulas containing Lou Lu
No published formula lists this herb yet — the library is growing.
Indications & Clinical Uses
- Breast abscess and hot, painful breast swelling
- Blocked milk ducts and obstructed milk flow
- Carbuncles, sores and scrofula
- Damp painful obstruction with cramping and stiff sinews
Western Medical Keywords
Searchable condition terms
Contraindications
Cautions
Bitter, cold and dispersing: it is wrong in qi deficiency, wrong for sores that are flat and pale with thin discharge, and hard on weak patients with loose stools. Mastitis with fever, spreading redness, or a lump that feels fluid needs medical assessment and may need antibiotics or drainage — herbs are an adjunct there, not the treatment. Because it acts on the breast and moves things downward, it is not a herb to take unsupervised while breastfeeding.
Contraindicated in pregnancy: Avoid in pregnancy — traditionally cautioned against, and it is cold and downward-moving; do not self-administer while pregnant
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.