INDIVIDUAL HERBS

NAME: CHANG SHAN - 常山 - RHIZOMA DICHROAE

Pharmaceutical Latin: Rhizoma Dichroae
Common English: Dichroa Root
Feverflower Root

CATEGORY

Herbs that Expel Parasites (Anthelmintics)

PROPERTIES

Taste Temperature Entering Meridians Dosage
Bitter
Acrid
Cold
Toxic
Heart
Liver
Lung
(Gallbladder)
3-10g
Tincture: 2-3ml

ACTIONS AND INDICATIONS

Actions Indications/Syndromes

Stops malarial disorders and kills parasites

This is a special herb for killing the parasites that cause malaria

Induces vomiting to expel Phlegm

Phlegm in the chest

Tan Yin

CONTRAINDICATIONS, INCOMPATIBILITIES AND HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

CONTRAINDICATIONS
  • Use caution during pregnancy.
  • Use caution with weak or debilitated patients because this can be an emetic.
  • Avoid overdose.
  • Do not eat chicken or scallions with this herb.
  • Toxic side effects include: nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
INCOMPATIBILITIES
HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

MAJOR COMBINATIONS

Cx. Magnoliae Officinalis
Hou Po
Per. Citri Reticulatae
Chen Pi
Fr. Tsaoko
Cao Guo

Rx. Bupleuri
Chai Hu
Hb. Artemisiae Annuae
Qing Hao
Hb. Verbena
Ma Bian Cao

Rx. Astragali
Huang Qi
Rx. Ginseng
Ren Shen
Fr. Mume
Wu Mei

Malarial disorders

Malarial disorders

Unremitting malarial disorders in the elderly

Rz. Pinelliae Preparatum
Zhi Ban Xia
Rz. Zingiberis Recens
Sheng Jiang

Rx. Glycyrrhizae
Gan Cao
Honey
Feng Mi

Rx. Bupleuri
Chai Hu

Overcomes the nausea inducing properties of this herb

Induces vomiting for congested fluids in the chest or Food Stagnation in the Stomach

Malarial disorders

Fr. Tsaoko
Cao Guo

Malarial disorders with a buffer against emesis

 

 

NOTES

  1. It controls outbreaks of malarial symptoms and fevers (related to its effect on Phlegm-saying “Without Phlegm, it cannot become a malarial disorder”).
  2. Some sources say that this herb Drains Heat, breaks accumulation and facilitates the movement of water.
  3. This herb is also used to treat scrofula.
  4. It is said to drain Heat and break up accumulations.
  5. If used alone, can cause vomiting.
  6. To prevent vomiting: soak in sake, saute, and prepare as a tea.
  7. Soaked in grain-based alcohol and served daily until symptoms subside, for malaria. Usually given concurrently with Sm. Arecae Bing Lang to relieve vomiting.
  8. It is said that it will only cause vomiting if used with Rx. Glycyrrhizae Gan Cao or used raw or in excessive dosage.
  9. It has recently shown remarkable results in hypertension and other cardiac conditions.
  10. Both Chang Shan and Rx. Bupleuri Chai Hu treat malarial disorders. Chang Shan unbinds Phlegm, drives out water, washes away Dampness and transforms accumulations to treat the root. Chai Hu only treats malarial disorders when the pathogen is in the channels and collaterals and is only appropriate in cases where the onset and disappearance is gradual. If used too early or too late, it is unsuitable. It only treats the branch.
  11. Dry-fried Dichroa Root Chao Chang Shan has a less objectionable taste and a stronger descending ability.
  12. Prepared Dichroa Root Zhi Chang Shan harmonizes the Stomach and prevents vomiting from the taste and has a stronger descending function.
  13. Wine-fried Dichroa Root Jiu Chao Chang Shan has a reduced ability to resolve toxins and is less irritating to the gastrointestinal tract and prevents vomiting.
  14. Folium Dichroa Shu Qi are the tender twigs and leaves of the plant. They are bitter, acrid, warm and toxic with a flavor that easily causes vomiting. It is a stronger anti-malarial than Chang Shan, but is more toxic. it enters the Heart, Liver and Lung channels with a dosage of 3-6g. It treats cough and rebellious Qi.