Single Herb Glossary
Hē Zǐ 訶子
| Pharmaceutical name | Chebulae Fructus chebule, myrobalan fruit, terminalia, chebgium |
| Category | Stabilize and Bind |
| Key Properties | Directs LU Qi downward & Transforms Phlegm to Stop Cough & Benefit Throat; Restrain SP & Intestinal Qi to Stop Chronic Diarrhea |
| Properties | Bitter,Sour Astringent Neutral |
| Tropism | LU, ST, LI |
| Actions & Indications | 1) Binds up Intestines & Stops Diarrhea (dysentery) 2) Contains Leakage of LU Qi, Stops Coughs, & Improves the Condition of the Throat |
| Dosages | 3-9g |
| Contraindications (TCM) | CI: Exterior patterns or in those with Internal Accumulation and Stagnation of Damp-Heat. |
| Contraindications (Western) | |
| Chemical Composition | Chebulinic acid, chebulagic acid, corilagin, terchebin, glucogallin, ellagic acid, gallic acid, chebulin, sennoside A, terchebulin, punicalagin, terflavin A, shikimic acid, dehydroshikimic acid, quinic acid, arabinose, fructose, glucose, sucrose, rhamnose, amino acids, tannase, polyphenol oxidase, peroxydase, ascorbic acid oxidase, β-sitosterol, daucosterol, triacontanoic acid, palmitic acid |
| Pharmacological Effects | • Antibiotic: inhibiting influence on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, S. aureus, E. coli, Diplococcus pneumoniae, β-hemolytic streptococcus and Bacillus proteus • Antispasmodic: chebulin may relieve spasms and cramps of smooth muscles with effect similar to papaverine • Gastrointestinal: herb has a complicated effect on gastrointestinal tract that includes initial purgative and subsequent astringent effects; initial purgative effect attributed to sennoside A, which is a mild to moderate purgative; subsequent astringent effect attributed to high content of tannin, that stops diarrhea |
| Herb-Drug Interactions | |
| Classical Formula(s) |
Ke Xue Fang (Coughing of Blood Formula) 咳血方 Su He Xiang Wan (delete She Xiang, Zhu Sha, An Xi Xiang) (Liquid Styrax Pill) 蘇合香丸（減麝香，硃砂，安息香） Zhen Ren Yang Zang Tang (True Man's Decoction to Nourish the Organs) 真人養臟湯 |
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.