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Cura x Cura

Mo Han Lian墨旱莲

Ecliptae Herba · Eclipta · Han Lian Cao

Herbs that Tonify the Yin 补阴药《新修本草》

Overview

The whole eclipta plant, cut while in flower and dried; a broken fresh stem darkens where the sap oxidises, which is where the — ink — in its name comes from. Sweet, sour and cold, it nourishes Liver and Kidney yin while cooling the blood, so it suits the patient who is depleted and bleeding at the same time rather than one or the other. Paired with Nv Zhen Zi 女贞子 it forms Er Zhi Wan 二至丸, the standard gentle yin-nourishing pair.

Nature & Flavor

Sweet, sour · Cold

Channels

Liver · Kidney

Typical Dosage

6–12 g in decoction
墨旱莲Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

2 core actions

  • Nourishes Liver and Kidney yinDizziness, tinnitus, blurred vision, a sore weak lower back and knees, and early greying of the hair.
  • Cools the blood, stops bleedingCoughing or vomiting of blood, nosebleed, blood in the urine or stool, and uterine bleeding where the blood is hot and the yin is already depleted.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Mo Han Lian

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Yin-deficiency dizziness, tinnitus and blurred vision
    - Sore, weak lower back and knees; premature greying
    - Heat-type bleeding: nosebleed, hematuria, uterine bleeding

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Heavy menstrual bleedingEpistaxisHematuriaPremature greying

Contraindications

Cautions

Cold and enriching: it is not used on its own where the Spleen is weak with loose stools, nor where bleeding comes from cold or from qi that is failing to hold the blood in the vessels. Bleeding of unknown cause needs investigation rather than repeated dosing.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: No specific restriction — practitioner judgment applies; because it is cold and enriching, take it in pregnancy under practitioner supervision.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Xin Xiu Ben Cao《新修本草》(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.