Tu Fu Ling (土茹苓) is the rhizome of smooth greenbrier, recorded as Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae. It is sweet and bland in flavour and neutral in temperature, entering the Liver and Stomach channels. The catalogue files it among the herbs that clear Heat and relieve toxicity.

Pinyin

tu fu ling

Chinese

土茯苓

Latin Name

Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae

English Name

glabrous greenbrier rhizome·Smooth Greenbrier Rhizome

Japanese

dobukuryo

Korean

tobokryeong

Actions and indications

Resolves toxicity, eliminates Damp and benefits the joints

Turbid, painful urination from Fire toxicity
Jaundice from Damp-Heat
Turbid discharge from Damp-Heat
Lingering conditions of toxin and Damp
Damp-Heat Bi with painful joints and sinews

Clears Damp-Heat from the skin

Chuang Yong: recurrent ulcers and other hot skin lesions
Damp-Heat eruptions and sores of the skin, acute or chronic and recurring

Promotes urination and clears Heat from the Lower Jiao

Heat Lin: urination that burns and hurts

Combinations

yi yi ren

Damp-Heat toxin with painful joints

bei xie

Damp-Heat toxin with turbid urine and painful joints

pu gong ying

Liver and Gallbladder Damp-Heat with jaundice

bai mao gen + mu tong + pu gong ying

Heat Lin (Re Lin), with scanty, dark urine that is painful to pass

chuan xiong

Headache from Damp-Heat constrained in the Liver channel: lifts clear Yang and sends turbid Qi down, moves Qi and invigorates Blood, clears Heat and drains Damp

bai xian pi

Damp-Heat skin lesions

jin yin hua + ye ju hua

Abscesses and boils.

di fu zi + ku shen + cang zhu

Psoriasis, Damp sores, carbuncles or eczema

jin yin hua + bai xian pi + gan cao

Syphilis.

Age

Raw

Granule

Tincture

Concentrate

Frequency

Any 15-60g; Tincture: 2-4ml

15-60 g

—

2-4 ml

—

Cautions

contraindication Liver and Kidney Yin deficiency, since its draining action moves Fluids out

caution By traditional rule, no tea should be drunk while the herb is being taken

caution Large doses and long courses call for practitioner direction, with the pattern reassessed over time

caution Skin and joint complaints have many causes; a practitioner should confirm the Damp-Heat pattern first

tu fu ling

About tu fu ling

Names

Classification