gou ji

狗脊·Rhizoma Cibotii

chain fern

About gou ji

Gou Ji (狗脊) is the rhizome of the chain fern, recorded as Rhizoma Cibotii. It is bitter and sweet in flavour, warm in temperature, and enters the Kidney and Liver channels. The catalogue files it among the herbs that tonify Yang.

Names

Pinyingou ji
Chinese狗脊
Latin NameRhizoma Cibotii
English Namechain fern·chain fern; cibotium rhizome·Cibotium Rhizome
Japanesekuseki
Koreankucheok

Classification

Category
Tonify Yang
Channels
Kidney, Liver
Flavour
Sweet, Bitter
Temperature
Warm
Family
Dicksoniaceae
Species
Cibotium barometz
Tags
Chinese Herbs, Common

Actions and indications

Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys and strengthens the sinews and bones

  • Liver and Kidney deficiency leaving the lower back, spine and legs stiff, sore or weak
  • Weak knees and legs with difficulty walking

Expels Wind-Damp and relieves Bi

  • Wind-Damp Bi with pain, aching or numbness
  • Chronic Wind-Cold-Damp Bi on a background of Liver and Kidney deficiency, where it is particularly useful

Warms and secures the Kidneys and stops leakage

  • Kidney Yang deficiency with frequent or uncontrolled urination, spermatorrhea or vaginal discharge
  • Leg swelling following an illness

Stops bleeding (golden hairs, topical)

  • Wounds, with the golden hairs packed on to stem bleeding

Combinations

Dosage

AgeRawGranuleTinctureConcentrateFrequency
Any 4.5-15g; Tincture: 2-4ml4.5-15 g2-4 ml

Cautions

Interactions

Antagonistic with

Prepared forms (1)

gou ji Tang

狗脊·Rhizoma Cibotii

Gou Ji (Tang) (狗脊) is gou ji processed by scalding, the rhizome of cibotium, recorded as Rhizoma Cibotii. The catalogue holds no category, channels or actions for it.

The catalogue records no separate actions, dose or cautions for this preparation. Unless noted above it follows gou ji.