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Rice-paper plant pith
通草 〔通草〕tōng cǎo
Latin pharmacognostic name: Tetrapanacis Medulla
Alternate English names: tetrapanax pith
Alternate Chinese names: 通花 tōng huā; 大通草 dà tōng cǎo; 白通草 bái tōng cǎo; 大木通 dà mù tōng tōng; 五角加皮 wǔ jiǎo jiā pí; 通花五加 tōng huā wǔ jiā; 葱草 cōng cǎo
Kingdom: Plant
Origin in PRC Pharmacopoeia: Tetrapanax papyriferus (Hook.) K. Koch. (PRC Pharmacopoeia)
Origin (other sources): Tetrapanax papyriferus (Hook.) K. Koch*; Stachyurus himalaicus Hook. f. et Thoms.
Use: Medicinal
Category: Water-disinhibiting dampness-percolating agents / Urine-disinhibiting strangury-freeing agents
Properties: Sweet, bland; slightly cold.
Channel entry: Lung and stomach channels.
Indications:
- Clears heat and disinhibits dampness: Damp-heat patterns of inhibited urination or rough painful dribbling urination.
- Frees qì and promotes lactation: Postpartum breast milk stoppage or inhibited lactation.
Dosage & Method: Oral: 2–5g in decoctions. Tōng cǎo is very light in weight.
Warnings: Use with care in pregnancy.
Quality: Flexible white stems with a hollow center are best.
Product Area: Guìzhōu, Yúnnán, Táiwān, Sìchuān, Jiāngxī.
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