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Lu Lu Tong路路通

Liquidambaris Fructus · Sweetgum Fruit · Liquidambar Fruit

Herbs that Dispel Wind-Dampness 祛风湿药《本草纲目拾遗》

Overview

The dried, spiny, ball-shaped fruit of the Chinese sweetgum, riddled with small openings — hence the name, roughly "opens every road." Bitter and neutral, everything it does is unblocking: it frees the channels and collaterals in wind-damp joint pain and numbness, opens the water passages in edema, and unblocks the breast in a mother whose milk is present but not flowing.

Nature & Flavor

Bitter · Neutral

Channels

Liver · Kidney

Typical Dosage

5–9 g in decoction
路路通Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Dispels wind-damp, frees the channelsWind-damp painful obstruction: aching, stiff joints, numb limbs, difficulty bending and stretching.
  • Promotes urination, reduces swellingEdema with scanty urination, where water is standing rather than being moved.
  • Frees the collaterals, promotes lactationBlocked, distended, painful breasts with milk that will not come down; also amenorrhea from stagnation in the channels.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Lu Lu Tong

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

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Wind-damp joint pain with stiffness and numbness
    - Edema and scanty urination
    - Blocked, painful breasts with poor milk flow
    - Amenorrhea from stagnation

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

ArthritisEdemaBlocked milk ductNumbness

Contraindications

Cautions

It opens and moves, so it is avoided where there is heavy bleeding, a bleeding tendency, or blood already depleted with nothing to move. It is contraindicated in pregnancy. Blocked breasts with fever and a hot red area need conventional assessment for mastitis rather than herbs alone. Our dispensary data flags no toxicity and no allergy risk.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Contraindicated in pregnancy — it moves the channels strongly and promotes downward flow

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Ben Cao Gang Mu Shi Yi《本草纲目拾遗》 (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.