INDIVIDUAL HERBS

NAME: LI LU - 藜蘆 - RHIZOMA ET RADIX VERATRI NIGRI

Pharmaceutical Latin: Rhizoma et Radix Veratri Nigri
Common English: Veratrum root and Rhizome

CATEGORY

Herbs that Transform Phlegm and Stop Coughing

Emetic Herbs

PROPERTIES

Taste Temperature Entering Meridians Dosage
Acrid
Bitter
Toxic
Cold
Liver
Lung
Stomach
Powder or pill: 0.1-0.15g

ACTIONS AND INDICATIONS

Actions Indications/Syndromes

Induces vomiting to treat Wind-Phlegm

Windstroke, seizures, epilepsy and painful obstruction of the throat due to a welling up of Phlegm

Ingestion of poisons and toxic substances (take immediately)

Kills parasites and stops itching

Topically for scabies, tinea, fungus and lice

CONTRAINDICATIONS, INCOMPATIBILITIES AND HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

CONTRAINDICATIONS
  • This herb is extremely toxic. Use only when absolutely necessary and then with great caution.
  • Do not use for the debilitated.
  • Do not use for those who have lost Blood.
  • Contraindicated during pregnancy.
INCOMPATIBILITIES
  • Incompatible with Hb. Asari Xi Xin.
  • Incompatible with Rx. Paeoniae Alba Bai Shao.
  • Incompatible with Rx. Paeoniae Rubra Chi Shao.
  • Incompatible with Rx. Ginseng Ren Shen.
  • Incompatible with Rx. Codonopsis Dang Shen.
  • Incompatible with Rx. Glehniae/Adenophorae Sha Shen.
  • Incompatible with Rx. Scrophulariae Xuan Shen.
  • Incompatible with Rx. Sophorae Flavescentis Ku Shen.
HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

MAJOR COMBINATIONS

Rx. Curcumae
Yu Jin

or

Rz. Arisaematis
Zhi Tian Nan Xing

Pedicellus Melo
Gua Di
Rx. Saposhnikoviae
Fang Feng

Wind-Phlegm welling up to obstruct the orifices (powder both herbs and take with warm water)

Windstroke

Withdrawal-mania

Loss of consciousness due to clogging of Phlegm

 

NOTES

  • This herb is very toxic and is used as a powder or pill to induce vomiting or as a powder to cause sneezing in cases of seizures or loss of consciousness.
  • This herb is used to kill mosquitoes, flies, maggots and larvae.
  • Some contemporary physicians feel that this herb should never be prescribed.
  • Li Lu causes vomiting of Wind-Phlegm; Rx. Dichroa Chang Shan causes vomiting of malarial disorder Phlegm; Pedicellus Melo Gua Di causes vomiting of Phlegm-Heat; The tips of Rx. Aconiti Preparata Zhi Chuan Wu and Rx. Aconiti Lateralis Preparata Zhi Fu Zi cause vomiting of Phlegm-Dampness; and Sm. Raphani Lai Fu Zi causes vomiting of Phlegm Qi.