Wu Ling Zhi (五灵脂) is the dropping of the flying squirrel, recorded as Faeces Trogopterori. It is bitter and sweet in flavour and warm in temperature, entering the Liver channel alone. The catalogue files it among the substances that invigorate the Blood.

Pinyin

wu ling zhi

Chinese

五灵脂

Latin Name

Faeces Trogopterori

English Name

excrementum pteropi·flying squirrel faeces·flying squirrel faeces; excrementum pteropi·Flying Squirrel Feces

Japanese

goreishi

Korean

oryeongji

Actions and indications

Invigorates Blood, dispels stasis and relieves pain

Blood stasis with absent or painful periods
Abdominal pain after childbirth with retained lochia
Fixed, stabbing pain of the epigastrium or abdomen from congealed Blood
Sharp, fixed pain of the chest or flanks, combined with other Blood-moving herbs

Transforms stasis and stops bleeding

Uterine bleeding, or lochia that is retained or lingers, from Blood stasis with clots and pain

Treats childhood nutritional impairment

Childhood nutritional impairment with localised distension

Resolves toxicity

Snake and insect bites, taken internally or applied topically

Combinations

yan hu suo + yi mu cao

Blood Stasis with amenorrhea or other menstrual disorders

pu huang

Dysmenorrhea, retained lochia and abdominal pain; Qi and Blood Stasis with stabbing pain in the chest and epigastrium; painful joints

pao jiang

Deficiency Cold with Blood Stasis, causing pain in the Middle and Lower Jiao

yan hu suo + mo yao + ru xiang

Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis with pain in the chest, epigastrium and abdomen

san qi + sheng di huang + mu dan pi

Menstrual bleeding that goes on too long, with dark, heavily clotted blood and stabbing lower abdominal pain

shi jun zi + hu huang lian

Chronic childhood nutritional impairment.

xiang fu

Epigastric pain.

e jiao + dang gui

Heavy uterine bleeding from Blood Stasis

xiang fu + yan hu suo

Qi and Blood Stagnation with epigastric and chest pain

dang gui + bai shao + chuan xiong + gui zhi

Abdominal pain.

xiao hui xiang + chuan lian zi

Lower abdominal pain.

chai hu + zhi ke + qing pi + bai ji li + jiang huang + chi shao + xiang fu

Hypochondriac pain.

Age

Raw

Granule

Tincture

Concentrate

Frequency

Any 3-10g Place in a separate bag before decocting; Tincture: 2-4ml

3-10 g

—

2-4 ml

—

Cautions

pregnancy Contraindicated in pregnancy

contraindication Abdominal pain or absent periods from Blood deficiency

contraindication Dizziness from heavy blood loss in childbirth

contraindication Pain from Heart deficiency with Fire

contraindication Any Blood deficiency disorder without stasis, since it disperses rather than builds Blood

caution Weak Spleen and Stomach Qi without signs of Blood stasis

caution A faecal animal product: unsuitable for vegetarians and vegans, and patients should be told what it is

caution Wild-collected material varies in hygiene and may be adulterated; check its quality

Interactions

Antagonistic with

ren shen Antagonistic pairing with Ren Shen (ginseng); traditionally not combined

Drug interactions

Anticoagulant and antiplatelet medicines: no interaction is documented, but as a Blood-moving herb it warrants practitioner and physician awareness (precaution based on its traditional action)

Prepared forms (1)

wu ling zhi Cu Zhi

五灵脂·Faeces Trogopterori

Wu ling zhi cu (五灵脂) is the vinegar-processed form of wu ling zhi, the droppings of the flying squirrel, supplied as Faeces Trogopterori. The catalogue files it among the substances that invigorate the Blood, and records it as entering the Liver channel.

The catalogue records no separate actions, dose or cautions for this preparation. Unless noted above it follows wu ling zhi.

wu ling zhi

About wu ling zhi

Names

Classification

Actions and indications

Invigorates Blood, dispels stasis and relieves pain

Transforms stasis and stops bleeding

Treats childhood nutritional impairment

Resolves toxicity

Combinations

Dosage

Cautions

Interactions

Antagonistic with

Drug interactions

Prepared forms (1)

wu ling zhi Cu Zhi

Support

About wu ling zhi

Names

Classification

Actions and indications

Invigorates Blood, dispels stasis and relieves pain

Transforms stasis and stops bleeding

Treats childhood nutritional impairment

Resolves toxicity

Combinations

Dosage

Cautions

Interactions

Antagonistic with

Drug interactions

Prepared forms (1)

wu ling zhi Cu Zhi

Related

Prepared forms

Used in 5 formulas

Support