State/School

California License Exam, Pacific College Comps, Southern California University of Health Sciences, Yo San University

Pharm Name

Puerariae Radix

Common Name

Kudzu Root

Category

Cool, Acrid Herbs that Release the Exterior

Ingredients

Taste

Acrid, Sweet

Pao Zhi

Temperature

Cool

Action / Indication

1. Releases the exterior, relaxes the muscles and clears heat: used to treat wind-heat invasion with stiff neck and upper back, fever, headache, and sore muscles. It is one of the best herbs for acute neck pain and shoulder injury.
2. Replenishes fluids and alleviates thirst: used to treat thirst, dry mouth, and restelssness and irritability, for patients with internal heat. Also used to treat wasting and thirsting disorder.
3. Expels pathogens from the skin: used to hasten the eruption of measles.
4. Treats damp-heat diarrhea: used to treat diarrhea with burning pain and foul smell.
5. Treats hypertension: used to lower blood pressure, and treat headache, dizziness, tinnitus, and stiff neck. It may also be used for angina pectoris, coronary artery disease, and sudden hearing loss.

Treatment Principles

Relaxes the Muscles
Releases Exterior Wind-Heat
Replenishes Fluids
Expels Pathogens from the Skin
Treats Damp-Heat Diarrhea
Treats Hypertension
Treats CAD and Angina
Treats Sudden Deafness

Contraindication

Use caution with excessive sweating, and Stomach cold.

Dosages

10-20g

Meridians

SP, ST

Tom's Comment

1. Ge Gen's claim to fame is to release the exterior and relaxes the muscles, esp. when wind-heat invades the muscles.
2. Ge Gen's property of Replenishing the Fluids is associated with a coexisting heat condition.

Source

Formula Type