Niu Bang Zi (Arctii Fructus)

Niu Bang Zi (牛蒡子), the fruit of burdock, disperses wind-heat, benefits the throat, vents rashes and resolves toxic swellings; it also moistens the Intestines.

Niú Bàng Zǐ  ·  牛蒡子

Latin / Pharmaceutical Name

Arctium lappa (Fructus Arctii)

Common English Name

Burdock seed

Taste

Acrid, bitter

Temperature

Cold

Channels Entered

Lung, Stomach

Actions & Functions

  • Disperses wind-heat and benefits the throat
  • Vents rashes (measles)
  • Clears heat and resolves toxicity (swellings, mumps)

Indications

Wind-heat with sore, swollen throat and cough; incomplete expression of measles; and mumps and toxic swellings.

Dosage

6-12 g in decoction.

Common Combinations

With Bo He and Jie Geng for wind-heat sore throat.

Cautions & Contraindications

Avoid in diarrhoea from Spleen deficiency, as it moistens the Intestines.

About Attilio

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

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