song jie

松节·Lignum Pini Nodi

Chinese pine node

About song jie

Song Jie (松节) is the knotty wood of the pine, taken where a branch met the trunk, recorded as Lignum Pini Nodi. It is bitter in flavour and warm in temperature, entering the Liver channel alone. The catalogue files it among the herbs that dispel Wind-Damp.

Names

Pinyin	song jie
Chinese	松节
Latin Name	Lignum Pini Nodi
English Name	Chinese pine node·Knotty Pine Wood
Japanese	shosetsu
Korean	songjeol

Classification

Category: Dispel Wind Damp
Channels: Liver
Flavour: Bitter
Temperature: Warm
Part used: Wood
Family: Pinaceae
Species: Pinus tabulaeformis|Pinus massoniana
Tags: Chinese Herbs, Common

Actions and indications

Dispels Wind, dries Damp and relieves pain

Wind-Damp Bi with sore, aching joints, mainly where Damp or Cold predominates
Stiff joints with wandering, aching Bi pain that Cold makes worse
Wind-Cold Bi
Traumatic injury with pain

Strengthens the sinews and muscles and opens the channels

Wei syndrome

Combinations

hai feng teng + qiang huo + du huo + sang zhi
Wind-Damp Bi.
hai feng teng + du huo + dang gui
Bi syndrome.
ru xiang + mo yao + su mu
Trauma-related pain.

Dosage

Age	Raw	Granule	Tincture	Concentrate	Frequency
Any 9-16g; Tincture: 2-4ml	9-16 g	—	2-4 ml	—	—

Cautions

contraindication Yin or Blood deficiency, which a warm, drying herb aggravates
contraindication Blood dryness
pregnancy No specific prohibition is recorded, but warming, dispersing herbs are given in pregnancy only under professional supervision
caution Known sensitivity to pine resin or rosin: the wood is saturated with resin, a recognised contact allergen, which matters mainly for external preparations