Single Herb Glossary
Chuān Liàn Zǐ (Jīn Líng Zǐ) 川楝子
| Pharmaceutical name | Toosendan Fructus toosendan fruit, sichuan chinaberry/pagoda tree |
| Category | Regulate Qi |
| Key Properties | Cools Heat Regulates the Qi Stops Pain |
| Properties | Bitter Cold Slightly Toxic |
| Tropism | UB, LV, SI, ST |
| Actions & Indications | 1) Dredges LV Qi, Relieves Constraint, Stop Pain, Conducts Heat Out from below 2) Kills Parasites & Stops Pain (abdominal pain associated with parasites) (Shan disorder) |
| Dosages | 4.5-9g |
| Contraindications (TCM) | Cold from Deficiency of SP & ST |
| Contraindications (Western) | |
| Chemical Composition | Toosendanin, mergsine, melianone, melianol, melianediol, melialactone, azadirachtin, 21-o-acetyltoosendatriol, lipomelianol |
| Pharmacological Effects | • Antiparasitic: demonstrated marked effectiveness against intestinal parasites; has been proposed that toosendanin causes constant muscle contraction in the parasites, leading to muscle fatigue, inability to adhere to intestines, and eventual expulsion of parasites; expulsion of parasites generally occurs 24 to 48 hours after administration; when compared to santonin, herb has slower onset but more prolonged duration of effect • Respiratory: administration in rats via intravenous or intramuscular injection leads to dyspnea, a reaction attributed to its inhibiting influence on CNS; dyspnea may be reversed with administration of nicotine • Antitoxin: survival rate over 80% in rats when toosendanin is administered within 6 hours of exposure to botulism, and approximately 50% in monkeys when administered within 24 hours |
| Herb-Drug Interactions | |
| Classical Formula(s) |
This information is a reference tool for Chinese herbal studies. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Please consult a primary health professional if you require health advisory.