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Cura x Cura

Shang Lu商陆

Phytolaccae Radix · Pokeroot · Phytolacca Root

Downward-Draining Herbs 泻下药《神农本草经》

Overview

The root of pokeweed — bitter, cold and toxic — sliced across to show the concentric rings that dispensers call the compass pattern. It belongs with the harsh water-expelling purgatives: it drives fluid out through both stool and urine in severe edema and abdominal distension, and is pounded and applied externally to sores and swollen glands.

Nature & Flavor

Bitter · Cold · Toxic

Channels

Lung · Spleen · Kidney · Large Intestine

Typical Dosage

5–10 g in decoction
商陆Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

4 core actions

  • Drives out water, reduces swellingSevere generalized edema and abdominal fluid distension with scanty urine and blocked stool, in a patient whose strength can take a purge.
  • Frees stool and urineThe fluid is expelled by both routes at once, which is what distinguishes it from the purely stool-driven purgatives.
  • Resolves toxin, disperses nodulesApplied externally, fresh or as a paste, to toxic sores, abscesses and swollen glands.
  • Vinegar processing reduces the toxicityInternal use is of the vinegar-processed slices; the raw root is markedly more irritant and is kept for external application.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Shang Lu

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Severe edema and abdominal fluid accumulation with scanty urine, in an excess pattern
    - Constipation and difficult urination accompanying fluid accumulation
    - Externally, on toxic sores, abscesses and swollen glands

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

EdemaAscitesOliguriaSkin abscess

Contraindications

Cautions

Toxic. The saponins and phytolacca toxins it contains irritate the gut and act on the nervous system: poisoning presents as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea, then dizziness, palpitations, slurred speech and unsteadiness, and in severe cases convulsions with respiratory and circulatory failure. The pharmacopoeia ceiling is 9 g per day, of the vinegar-processed root; the raw root is more irritant and is reserved for external use, where it can still inflame the skin. Classical texts warn that only the white-flowered plant is used medicinally, the red-flowered one being regarded as too poisonous to swallow. No or pairing is recorded for it, but it should never be stacked with other harsh purgatives outside close supervision. Contraindicated in weak, deficient, elderly and dehydrated patients. Not a self-medication herb.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Absolutely contraindicated in pregnancy — it can bring on miscarriage; avoid while breastfeeding as well

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.