Tu Fu Ling土茯苓
Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma · Glabrous Greenbrier Rhizome · Chinaroot
Overview
The starchy rhizome of a climbing greenbrier, sliced and dried. Sweet, bland and neutral — mild enough that southern households cook it as food, yet in the materia medica it is a specialist. Li Shi-zhen's Ming record built its reputation on the sores, joint damage and mercury-poisoning sequelae of long-standing syphilis, and that remains its signature: it resolves toxicity while draining damp out through the urine and freeing the joints. Because it is bland rather than bitter-cold, it can be given in the large amounts stubborn damp-heat patterns need without punishing the Stomach.
Nature & Flavor
Sweet, bland · NeutralChannels
Liver · StomachTypical Dosage
15–60 g in decoctionActions
3 core actions
- Resolves toxicity, heals soresDamp-heat sores and ulcers, boils, and stubborn weeping skin lesions; historically the lead herb for syphilitic sores and for the joint and skin damage left behind by mercury treatment.
- Eliminates dampness, frees the jointsDamp-heat joint pain, stiffness and swelling, and cramping heaviness of the legs.
- Drains turbid damp downwardTurbid, scanty or painful urination and damp-heat vaginal discharge.
In Formulas
Formulas containing Tu Fu Ling
No published formula lists this herb yet — the library is growing.
Indications & Clinical Uses
- Damp-heat sores, boils and stubborn weeping skin lesions
- Damp-heat joint pain, stiffness and swelling
- Turbid or painful urination, damp-heat vaginal discharge
- Historically, syphilitic sores and the sequelae of mercury treatment
Western Medical Keywords
Searchable condition terms
Contraindications
Cautions
Bland and draining rather than harsh, but it does move fluids out: prolonged large doses are unsuitable where yin is already depleted, with dryness, thirst and scanty urine, and it is not the herb for Liver–Kidney yin deficiency. Classical practice avoids strong tea while taking it, on the traditional grounds that tea blunts the effect. The dispensary record does not flag it as toxic and it is well tolerated at food-level amounts, but the large decoction doses used for entrenched skin and joint patterns belong in a practitioner's prescription. What it does not do is treat an infection by itself: syphilis is a notifiable and curable infection that requires antibiotic treatment and follow-up testing — this herb has a supporting, historical role only.
Contraindicated in pregnancy: No specific restriction — practitioner judgment applies. The large doses used for stubborn damp-heat patterns should not be self-prescribed while pregnant.
For licensed practitioners’ reference only
References
- Ben Cao Gang Mu《本草纲目》(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.