shāng lù

Name: shāng lù
Creator: Bencao Index

商陆·Radix Phytolaccae

phytolacca

Toxic

Toxicity graded by American Dragon.

About shāng lù

Shang Lu (商陆) is the root of pokeweed, recorded as Radix Phytolaccae. It is bitter in flavour and cold in temperature, entering the Spleen, Kidney, Bladder and Large Intestine channels.

Names

Pinyin	shāng lù
Chinese	商陆
Latin Name	Radix Phytolaccae
English Name	phytolacca·pokeberry root·pokeberry root; phytolacca

Classification

Channels: Large Intestine, Spleen, Bladder, Kidney
Flavour: Bitter
Temperature: Cold

Actions and indications

Drives out water through the urine and stool

Excess-type edema or ascites with severe constipation, abdominal distension and difficult urination, only in a patient strong enough to bear a harsh purge

Reduces sores and carbuncles

Hot-type sores, boils and abscesses, with the fresh root pounded and applied externally

Removes Phlegm, stops cough and resolves lumps

Lung disorders

Reduces swelling and disperses nodules

Swellings and nodules, with the crushed root applied to the skin

Combinations

bing lang + ze xie
Excess-type edema and swelling with difficult urination
chi xiao dou
Edema with abdominal distention, difficult urination and shortness of breath
ku shen
Hot, painful sores, applied topically as a warm poultice
gan sui
Strongly expels water, clears plugged accumulation and opens the water passages for edema in all three Jiaos. Ascites, and edema of the abdomen or limbs (use very cautiously)
bing lang + chi xiao dou + ze xie + da fu pi
Ascites and edema.

Dosage

Age	Raw	Granule	Tincture	Concentrate	Frequency
Any 3-10g; Tincture: 0.1-1.5ml	3-10 g	—	0.1-1.5 ml	—	—

Cautions

pregnancy Never use in pregnancy: it has caused birth defects, and extracts of the root have shown abortifacient activity
contraindication A weak, deficient Stomach, or Spleen and Stomach deficiency
contraindication Edema of the deficiency type, or a weak and frail constitution, which a harsh purge would damage further
caution Reserve for severe Excess patterns
caution Highly toxic; handle and prescribe with great care
caution The dust can inflame the eyelids and bring on rhinitis and gastroenteritis
caution The raw root is for external use only; internally, only the vinegar-processed form is used

Interactions

Drug interactions

Diuretics, laxatives and blood pressure medicines: the herb's strong diuretic and purgative action may add to theirs (precautionary, not a documented interaction)

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