Single Herb Glossary
Niú Bàng Zǐ 牛蒡子
| Pharmaceutical name | Arctii Fructus great burdock fruit |
| Category | Cool, Acrid, Release the Exterior |
| Key Properties | Dispel Exterior Heat & clears Interior Heat toxin, Benefits throat, Cold & slippery (facilitate Bowel Movement, unless fried) |
| Properties | Acrid Bitter Cold |
| Tropism | LU, ST |
| Actions & Indications | 1) Disperse Wind Heat, Benefit Throat 2) Resolves Toxicity, Vents Rashes 3) Moistens the Intestines (constipation) |
| Dosages | 6-12 g grind before decocting |
| Contraindications (TCM) | CI: Qi Def, diarrhea, or absence of Excess Heat |
| Contraindications (Western) | |
| Chemical Composition | Arctiin, arcti-genin, isoarctigenin, essential oil 25-30%, gobosterin, lappaol A,B,C,D,E,F,H |
| Pharmacological Effects | • Antibiotic: inhibits S. pneumoniae and some pathogenic fungi • Antidiabetic: extract decreases blood glucose levels, with prolonged duration of effect, in rats • Renal: intraperitoneal injection of arctiin at 10 mg/kg daily for 10 days showed promising results in treating kidney diseases by reducing amount of protein present in urine • Others: anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and diuretic effects |
| Herb-Drug Interactions | • Antidiabetics: use with caution with insulin, sulfonylureas, and other antidiabetic medications as combination may have synergistic effect, leading to hypoglycemia • Acetaminophen: herb has marked hepatoprotective effects; suppressed elevated SGOT and SGPT levels induced by carbon tetrachloride or acetaminophen in a dose-dependent manner; also alleviated severity of liver damage based on histopathological observations; mechanism of this action based on antioxidative effect of herb on hepatocytes, hence eliminating deleterious effects of toxic metabolites from carbon tetrachloride or acetaminophen |
| Classical Formula(s) |
Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin (Universal Benefit Drink to Eliminate toxin) 普濟消毒飲 (普济消毒饮) |
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.