State/School

California License Exam, Pacific College Comps

Pharm Name

Lycii Cortex

Common Name

Lycium Root Bark

Category

Clear Heat from Deficiency

Ingredients

Taste

Sweet, Bland

Pao Zhi

Temperature

Cold

Action / Indication

1. Cools the blood and reduces steaming: This herb specifically drains Kidney fire, eliminates lurking heat, and clears heat from the bones. It is used for such symptoms as night sweats, steaming bone disorder with sweating, chronic low- grade fever, irritability, and thirst. Also for floating fire in the Kidney channel marked by toothache. 
2. Clears and drains Lung heat: for Lung heat cough or wheezing. 

Treatment Principles

Drains Deficiency Fire
Clears Lung Heat
Stops Cough
Cools Blood

Contraindication

Contraindicated during wind invasion. Use caution with Stomach and Spleen cold, and true cold/false heat conditions. This herb is often used to treat diabetes, but use extreme caution if the patient is already taking diabetes medication, as hypoglycemia may result.

Dosages

6-15g

Meridians

LU, LIV, KD

Tom's Comment

1. Di Gu Pi is one of the premier herbs used for Yin Deficiency Heat
2. Di Gu Pi can be used for Lung Heat with Sang Bai Pi and Gan Cao, as in Xie Bai San.

Source

Formula Type