su mu

苏木·Lignum Sappan

Sappan Wood

Toxic

About su mu

Su Mu (苏木) is the heartwood of sappan, a legume tree, recorded as Lignum Sappan. It is sweet, salty and acrid in flavour and neutral in temperature, entering the Heart, Liver and Spleen channels. The catalogue files it among the herbs that invigorate the Blood.

Names

Pinyinsu mu
Chinese苏木
Latin NameLignum Sappan
English NameSappan Wood
Japanesesoboku
Koreansomok

Classification

Channels
Spleen, Heart, Liver
Flavour
Acrid, Sweet, Salty
Temperature
Neutral
Part used
Wood
Family
Fabaceae
Species
caesalpinia sappan
Tags
Chinese Herbs, Common

Actions and indications

Invigorates Blood, dispels stasis, reduces swelling, opens the channels and relieves pain

  • Blood stasis causing amenorrhea or abdominal pain after childbirth, with fixed, stabbing lower abdominal pain
  • Swelling and pain from Blood stasis after falls, fractures, bruising or sprains; used internally and topically

Stops bleeding

  • Heavy bleeding after childbirth

Combinations

Dosage

AgeRawGranuleTinctureConcentrateFrequency
Any 3-10g; Maximum dosage: 15g3-10 g

Cautions