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Cura x Cura

Shi Chang Pu石菖蒲

Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma · Grass-leaved Sweetflag Rhizome · Acorus

Herbs that Open the Orifices 开窍药《神农本草经》

Overview

An aromatic rhizome that works on two levels at once: it opens the orifices of the Heart when phlegm has clouded them, and it wakes a middle burner that damp has made heavy and mute. Acrid, bitter and warm, its aroma is the active principle — muddled thinking, poor recall, a thick sticky tongue coat and a sense of oppression in the chest are its typical picture. Because it is aromatic it is added late in the decoction, and because it is warm and drying it is paired with yin-preserving herbs when the patient is depleted.

Nature & Flavor

Acrid, bitter · Warm

Channels

Heart · Stomach

Typical Dosage

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

Actions

4 core actions

  • Opens the orifices, transforms phlegmPhlegm clouding the Heart orifices: dulled or clouded consciousness, muddled speech, seizure-type patterns and phlegm-related tinnitus or hearing loss.
  • Wakes the spirit, sharpens the mindForgetfulness, foggy thinking and poor concentration, especially where a thick tongue coat points to damp and phlegm rather than to plain deficiency.
  • Transforms damp, harmonises the StomachDamp obstructing the middle: chest and epigastric fullness, no appetite, a greasy tongue coat, nausea without vomiting.
  • Quiets the spiritRestless sleep and disturbed dreams where phlegm-damp underlies the pattern — commonly with Yuan Zhi and Fu Shen.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Shi Chang Pu

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Clouded consciousness or muddled thinking from phlegm misting the Heart
    - Poor memory and concentration with a greasy tongue coat
    - Damp in the middle burner: fullness, poor appetite, nausea
    - Tinnitus or hearing loss of phlegm-damp type
    - Insomnia and disturbed dreams on a phlegm-damp background

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Brain fogMemory problemsTinnitusEpilepsyPoor appetite

Contraindications

Cautions

Acrid, warm and drying: unsuitable for yin deficiency with flaring fire, marked irritability with heavy sweating, coughing of blood or seminal emission. It contains beta-asarone, which is why doses are kept modest and courses short. The pharmacopoeial species is Acorus tatarinowii — it should not be swapped for Acorus calamus (/), which carries a higher asarone content. Not for unsupervised long-term use.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Use with caution during pregnancy — its aromatic, orifice-opening action means it is given only on a practitioner's direction.

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.