Bu Gu Zhi (Psoraleae Fructus)

Bu Gu Zhi (補骨脂), the fruit of Psoralea corylifolia, warms and tonifies Kidney yang, secures the essence and urine, and (with the Spleen) stops chronic, early-morning diarrhoea.

Bǔ Gǔ Zhī  ·  補骨脂

Latin / Pharmaceutical Name

Psoralea corylifolia (Fructus Psoraleae)

Common English Name

Psoralea fruit

Taste

Acrid, bitter

Temperature

Very warm

Channels Entered

Kidney, Spleen

Actions & Functions

  • Tonifies and warms Kidney yang
  • Secures the essence and reduces urination
  • Warms the Spleen and stops daybreak diarrhoea
  • Aids the Kidney in grasping the qi (wheezing)

Indications

Kidney yang deficiency with impotence, seminal emission, frequent urination and enuresis; daybreak (cock-crow) diarrhoea from Spleen and Kidney yang deficiency; and wheezing from the Kidney failing to grasp the qi.

Dosage

6-15 g in decoction.

Common Combinations

With Rou Dou Kou, Wu Zhu Yu and Wu Wei Zi (Si Shen Wan) for daybreak diarrhoea.

Cautions & Contraindications

Avoid in yin deficiency with heat and in constipation.

About Attilio

Doctor of Chinese medicine, acupuncture expert and author of My Fertility Guide and My Pregnancy Guide.

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