Tu Jing Pi土荆皮
Pseudolaricis Cortex · Golden Larch Bark · Pseudolarix Bark
Overview
- ·.*
The root bark of the golden larch, also written — acrid, warm and toxic, and the most narrowly defined herb in this chapter. It does one thing: it kills the fungi of ringworm and stops the itch that goes with them. It is soaked in spirit or vinegar to make a tincture, or powdered into an ointment, and painted on the affected patch. It is not taken internally in any amount, in any preparation, for any indication — the pharmacopoeia records it as an external drug only.
Nature & Flavor
Acrid · Warm · ToxicChannels
Lung · SpleenTypical Dosage
**External use only.** Steeped in alcohol or vinegar as a tincture, or powdered into an ointment, and applied to the patch. Not for internal use at any dose.Actions
3 core actions
- Kills fungi, treats ringwormRingworm of the body, hands and feet, jock itch and scalp ringworm — painted on as a tincture, once or twice daily on the affected patch only.
- Stops itchingThe itching that accompanies fungal patches and some damp itching eruptions. It works on the lesion; it does nothing for itch of internal cause.
- External use onlyToxic if swallowed. There is no internal preparation of this herb in current practice and no dose at which it is safe to drink.
In Formulas
Formulas containing Tu Jing Pi
No published formula lists this herb yet — the library is growing.
Indications & Clinical Uses
- Ringworm of the body, hands and feet (external)
- Jock itch and scalp ringworm (external)
- Itching damp skin patches (external)
Western Medical Keywords
Searchable condition terms
Contraindications
Cautions
External use only, and toxic if swallowed. Ingestion causes nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain and has been associated with liver injury; the herb must be stored where it cannot be mistaken for something drinkable. The alcohol tincture is strong: it stings, and repeated or occluded application produces chemical irritation and contact dermatitis. Apply it to the patch only, not the surrounding healthy skin; keep it off mucous membranes, the genitals, the face and the eyes; do not use it on broken or weeping skin, on large areas, or on infants and small children. Stop if the skin becomes painful, blistered or markedly inflamed. If the patch does not clear, that calls for a diagnosis rather than more tincture.
Contraindicated in pregnancy: Avoid in pregnancy — external use only, and in pregnancy only if a practitioner judges it necessary, never on the abdomen or the breast.
For licensed practitioners’ reference only
References
- Ben Cao Gang Mu Shi Yi《本草纲目拾遗》(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.