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Cura x Cura

San Leng三棱

Sparganii Rhizoma · Bur-reed Rhizome · Sparganium

Herbs that Invigorate the Blood 活血化瘀药《本草拾遗》

Overview

The rhizome of bur-reed, and one of the two herbs — with E Zhu — that practitioners reach for when stasis has hardened into a mass. Acrid, bitter and neutral, it breaks blood stasis and moves qi at the same time, and it also disperses food that has stalled and hardened in the abdomen. Processing tempers it: vinegar-frying San Leng draws it into the Liver blood and sharpens its effect on pain, dry-frying San Leng is easier on the middle burner, and wine-frying San Leng sends the action out into the channels.

Nature & Flavor

Acrid, bitter · Neutral

Channels

Liver · Spleen

Typical Dosage

3–10 g in decoction
三棱Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Breaks up blood stasis, moves qiAmenorrhea and fixed abdominal masses from long-standing stasis; the classic pair with E Zhu 莪术.
  • Disperses accumulation, relieves painEpigastric and abdominal distension and pain from stubborn food accumulation.
  • Prepared formsVinegar-fried is the usual internal form, gentler and better for pain; dry-fried spares the middle burner; wine-fried carries the action into the channels.

In Formulas

Formulas containing San Leng

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

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Fixed abdominal masses and amenorrhea from blood stasis
    - Stubborn food accumulation with distension and pain
    - Fixed stabbing pain of long-standing stasis (in formula)

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Uterine fibroidsAmenorrheaAbdominal massesIndigestion

Contraindications

Cautions

Strongly stasis-breaking and qi-consuming: not for qi or blood deficiency without genuine stasis, not during heavy menstrual bleeding, and not where any bleeding is active. Anyone taking an anticoagulant such as warfarin should discuss it with the prescriber first. Use it in short courses and stop once the mass or the pain has yielded.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Contraindicated in pregnancy — it breaks blood stasis.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    2. 《中华人民共和国药典》.
    3. 《中药大辞典》.

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.