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Latin pharmacognostic name: Arctii Fructus

Alternate English names: burdock [seed] great burdock [seed]

Alternate Chinese names: 鼠黏子 shǔ nián zǐ; 大力子 dà lì zǐ; 蝙蝠刺 biān fú cì; 毛然然子 máo rán rán zǐ; 黑风子 hēi fēng zǐ; 毛锥子 máo zhuī zǐ; 黏苍子 nián cāng zǐ; 鼠尖子 shǔ jiān zǐ; 牛蒡 niú bàng; 恶实 è shí; 鼠粘子 shǔ nián zi

Kingdom: Plant

Origin in PRC Pharmacopoeia: Arctium lappa L. (PRC Pharmacopoeia)

Origin (other sources): Arctium lappa L.*

Use: Medicinal

Category: Exterior-resolving agents / Cool acrid exterior-resolving agents

Properties: Acrid, bitter; cold.

Channel entry: Lung and stomach channels.

Indications:

• Disperses wind-heat and disinhibits the throat: Common cold, taking the form of wind-heat exterior patterns or warm heat defense-aspect patterns, with painful red swollen throat, possibly accompanied by cough with inhibited expectoration of phlegm.
• Outthrusts papules: Initial-stage measles failing to erupt.
• Resolves toxin and disperses swelling: Toxin swelling of welling-abscesses and sores; mumps; throat impediment.
• Additional actions: Niú bàng zǐ has an intestine-lubricating effect as well, although many core texts do not list this as a primary action.

Dosage & Method: Oral: 3–10g in decoctions, sometimes crushed before use. It can be stir-fried to reduce its cold nature.

Warnings: Use with care in patients with sloppy stool due to qì vacuity or vacuity cold.

Product Description: This fruit is ovate, but slightly twisted, in shape, and roughly 6 mm long. The diameter in the middle is about 3 mm. The exterior surface is grayish brown with a slightly paler spot at the tip, and a small indentation at the other, broader end. It bears protuberant longitudinal wrinkles. The outer skin is hard and contains two white oily seeds.

Quality: The best niubangzi comes from Zhèjiāng.

Product Area: Sìchuān, Húběi, Héběi, and Zhèjiāng.

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