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Cura x Cura

She Gan射干

Belamcandae Rhizoma · Belamcanda Rhizome · Blackberry Lily Rhizome

Herbs that Clear Heat 清热药《神农本草经》

Overview

The knotty rhizome of the blackberry lily, bitter and cold, entering the Lung. It does two things that belong together: it clears heat and toxicity from a red, swollen, painful throat, and it breaks up and drives down the phlegm that sits behind a wheeze — which is why it heads the classical prescription for a cough with a rattling sound in the throat. Its range is narrow and its direction is downward, so it suits an acute, hot, phlegm-obstructed picture rather than a chronic weak one. The dry-fried rhizome is a little less cold and is chosen where the digestion needs protecting.

Nature & Flavor

Bitter · Cold

Channels

Lung

Typical Dosage

3–9 g in decoction
射干Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

4 core actions

  • Clears heat, resolves toxicity, eases the throatA red, swollen throat with pain on swallowing, hoarseness and swollen tonsils — its best-known use.
  • Dissolves phlegm and calms wheezingCough and wheeze with a rattle or gurgle in the throat, thick phlegm that is difficult to raise, and a full chest.
  • Directs Lung qi downwardThe reason it settles a cough that keeps rising: it moves phlegm and qi down rather than dispersing them outward.
  • Dry-fried form She GanFrying tempers the coldness a little, which matters when the patient's digestion is weak but the throat still needs cooling.

In Formulas

Formulas containing She Gan

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Red, swollen, painful throat with hoarseness
    - Swollen tonsils from heat and toxicity
    - Cough and wheezing with phlegm rattling in the throat
    - Thick phlegm that is difficult to expectorate

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

PharyngitisTonsillitisAsthmaBronchitis

Contraindications

Cautions

Bitter and cold, and hard on the stomach: it can cause nausea, abdominal discomfort and loose stools, and it is unsuitable for Spleen deficiency with diarrhoea or for a cold, weak middle burner unless the prescription protects it. It is not for a throat that is pale, dry and sore from deficiency rather than heat, and not for a cough from cold. Keep to the dispensed dose and to short courses. A throat that is closing, drooling, a muffled voice or difficulty breathing or swallowing is a medical emergency — go to hospital rather than continuing with herbs. Classical practice lists it among the herbs withheld during pregnancy.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Avoid in pregnancy — it is classically listed among the herbs withheld while pregnant, and it is not self-administered.

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.