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Cura x Cura

Yu Jin郁金

Curcumae Radix · Curcuma Root Tuber · Turmeric Tuber

Herbs that Invigorate the Blood 活血化瘀药《药性论》

Overview

The cooling member of the turmeric group: acrid, bitter and cold, it moves qi and blood together, and — unusually for a blood-mover — also clears heat from the Heart and opens the orifices when phlegm-heat clouds the mind. A third line of use frees the Gallbladder, which brings it into jaundice and gallstone patterns.

Nature & Flavor

Acrid, bitter · Cold

Channels

Liver · Gallbladder · Heart

Typical Dosage

5–12 g in decoction
郁金Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

4 core actions

  • Invigorates blood, moves qi, relieves painChest, flank and epigastric pain, dysmenorrhea and abdominal masses where qi stagnation and blood stasis are combined.
  • Clears the Heart, opens the orificesPhlegm-heat clouding the mind: confusion, agitation and seizure disorders — classically paired with Bai Fan.
  • Cools the blood, stops reckless bleedingNosebleed, blood in the urine and heavy menstrual bleeding where heat is driving the blood outward.
  • Benefits the Gallbladder, resolves jaundiceDamp-heat jaundice and gallstone pain with flank distention and a bitter taste.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Yu Jin

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Chest, flank and epigastric pain from qi stagnation with blood stasis
    - Dysmenorrhea and abdominal masses
    - Mental confusion, agitation and seizure disorders of phlegm-heat
    - Damp-heat jaundice and gallstone pain

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

GallstonesJaundiceChest painEpilepsy

Contraindications

Cautions

Classical incompatibility: not combined with Ding Xiang 丁香. Because it moves blood, its use in bleeding disorders or alongside anticoagulants such as warfarin is a practitioner decision. Not appropriate where there is no stagnation to move.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Avoid in pregnancy — it moves both qi and blood strongly.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    2. 《中华人民共和国药典》.
    3. 《中药学》 (national planning textbook).

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.