Medicinals

lí lú / 藜芦 / 藜蘆 / veratrum [root];

Latin pharmacognostic name: Veratri Nigri Radix et Rhizoma

Alternate English names: black false hellebore

Alternate Chinese names:

Origin: Plant

Use: medicinal

Category: Ejection agents

Properties: Bitter, acrid; cold; toxic.

Channel entry: lung, stomach, and liver channels.

Indications:

Dosage & Method:

Oral: 0.3–0.9 gr, used in pills and powders. Grind it to a powder and blend it with oil for topical application.

Warning:

Lí lú is toxic and should be used with care. It is contraindicated in qì vacuity and weak health, after blood loss, and in pregnancy. Lí lú clashes with rén shēn (Ginseng Radix), shā shēn (Adenophorae seu Glehniae Radix), dān shēn (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix), xuán shēn (Scrophulariae Radix), bái sháo (Paeoniae Radix Alba), chì sháo (Paeoniae Radix Rubra), and xì xīn (Asari Herba). If its use results in incessant vomiting, a decoction of cōng bái (Allii Fistulosi Bulbus) should be taken.

Quality:

Firm thick roots that are farinaceous on the cross section.

Product Area:

Most parts of China, especially Liáoníng, Shānxī, and Sìchuān.

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