wu bei zi

五倍子·Galla Chinensis

Gallnut Of Chinese Sumac

About wu bei zi

Wu Bei Zi (五倍子) is the gall of the Chinese sumac — a growth raised on the plant by an insect — recorded as Galla Chinensis. It is sour and salty in flavour and cold in temperature, entering the Lung, Kidney and Large Intestine channels.

Names

Pinyinwu bei zi
Chinese五倍子
Latin NameGalla Chinensis
English NameGallnut Of Chinese Sumac
Japanesegobaishi
Koreanobaeja

Classification

Channels
Lung, Large Intestine, Kidney
Flavour
Sour, Salty
Temperature
Cold
Family
Anacardiaceae
Tags
Chinese Herbs, Common

Actions and indications

Astringes the Lungs and stops cough

  • Long-standing cough from Lung Qi deficiency, often with thin or profuse sputum

Astringes the Intestines and stops diarrhea

  • Chronic diarrhea or dysentery
  • Blood in the stool of long standing
  • Rectal prolapse after prolonged loose stools

Astringes sweat and secures the Kidneys and Jing

  • Seminal emission and spermatorrhea when the Kidneys fail to hold
  • Spontaneous sweating, night sweats or excessive sweating

Clears Fire toxicity, dries Damp and reduces swelling (topical)

  • Applied as a powder or wash to sores, skin disease, toxic swellings and weeping, ulcerated skin
  • Scar tissue

Cools Deficiency Fire

  • Coughing of blood or blood-flecked phlegm over a long period, when Lung Yin is deficient and Deficiency Fire flares

Stops bleeding

  • Uterine bleeding, blood in the stool or urine, bleeding gums and nosebleed
  • Blood coughed up or vomited

Combinations

Dosage

AgeRawGranuleTinctureConcentrateFrequency
Any 1.5-7g; Tincture: 0.5-3ml1.5-7 g0.5-3 ml

Cautions

Interactions

Drug interactions