INDIVIDUAL HERBS

NAME: SANG JI SHENG - 桑寄生 - HERBA TAXILLI - MISTLETOE - LORANTHUS

Pharmaceutical Latin: Herba Taxilli
Common English: Taxillus
Mistletoe
Mulberry Mistletoe Stems
Loranthus
Vaeicum

CATEGORY

Herbs that Dispel Wind-Dampness

PROPERTIES

Taste Temperature Entering Meridians Dosage
Bitter
Sweet
Neutral
Kidney
Liver
9-30g

ACTIONS AND INDICATIONS

Actions Indications/Syndromes

Tonifies Liver and Kidney Yin, strengthens the sinews and bones and expels Wind-Dampness

Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency with Bi pain (lower back and leg soreness and pain, joint problems, numbness and weakness and atrophy of the sinews and bones) (whether or not Wind-Dampness is present)

Nourishes the Blood and calms the womb

Restless fetus or metrorrhagia during pregnancy

Promotes lactation

Nourishes the Blood and benefits the skin

Blood Deficiency with dry, scaly skin

CONTRAINDICATIONS, INCOMPATIBILITIES AND HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

CONTRAINDICATIONS
  • Contraindicated for those with Dampness and Heat.
  • Large overdoses may result in vomiting, diarrhea and death.
INCOMPATIBILITIES
HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS
  • Use with caution for patients taking anticoagulants such as heparin, warfarin (Coumadin) and enoxaparin (Lovenox) or antiplatelet drugs such as aspirin, dipyridamole (Persantine) and clopidogrel (Plavix) as concurrent use may have an additive or synergistic effect.
  • Concurrent use with diuretics such as chlorothiazide, hydrochlorothiazide, furmoside (Lasix), bumetinide (Bumex) and torsemide (Demadex) may lead to increased elimination of water and/or electrolytes.

MAJOR COMBINATIONS

Rx. Angelicae Pubescentis
Du Huo
Rx. Achyranthis Bidentatae
Niu Xi

Cornu Cervi Pantotrichum
Lu Rong
Cx. Eucommiae
Du Zhong

or

Cx. Eucommiae
Du Zhong
Rx. Angelicae Pubescentis
Du Huo
Rx. Cyathulae
Chuan Niu Xi

Rx. Rehmanniae
Sheng Di Huang
Rx. Paeoniae Ru brae
Chi Shao
 Caulis Spatholobi
Ji Xue Teng

Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency and Wind-Dampness causing low back and leg pain, stiffness and soreness.

Low back and leg pain due to Kidney Qi Deficiency.

Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency with Liver Yang Rising causing headache tinnitus, palpitations, and dizziness.

Rx. Dipsaci
Xu Duan
Sm. Cuscutae
Tu Si Zi
Colla Corii Asini
E Jiao

Colla Corii Asini
E Jiao
Fol. Artemisiae Argyi
Ai Ye

Cx. Mori
Sang Bai Pi
Caul. Perillae
Zi Su Geng
Per. Arecae
Da Fu Pi

Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency causing a restless fetus and threatening miscarriage.

Restless fetus with stabbing abdominal pain.

Bleeding after miscarriage.

Edema during pregnancy.

Hb. Epimedii
Yin Yang Huo

Chicken Eggs
Brown Sugar

 

Rx. Polygoni Multiflori Preparatum
Zhi He Shou Wu

Infantile paralysis.

Blood Deficiency creating dry, scaly skin.

Tonifies Kidney Yin and Liver Blood to nourish the sinews and bones and treat dizziness and blurred vision.

Numbness of the extremities associated with Liver Blood Deficiency.

Rx. Dipsaci
Xu Duan
Rx. Angelicae Sinensis
Dang Gui
Cx. Eucommiae
Du Zhong

 

 

Restless fetus, and back pain due to Yin and Blood Deficiency.

 

 

NOTES

  1. Many sources classify this herb as a Yin Tonic.
  2. This is a parasite that attaches itself to mulberry and many other types of trees.
  3. Some sources say this herb treats hypertension.
  4. Some sources say this herb nourishes Body Fluids.
  5. Some sources say that this herb treats hair loss, loose teeth and insufficient lactation.
  6. Both Sang Ji Sheng and Rx. Dipsaci Xu Duan have the same therapeutic action but they are different in nature and flavor. They can be used together or if one is unavailable the other can be substituted for it. They both tonify the Liver and Kidneys, strengthen the sinews and bones and augment Blood to calm the fetus. Sang Ji Sheng expels Wind-Dampness and is more appropriate when the pain in the lower back, sinews and bones is due to liver and Kidney Deficiency with Wind-Damp Bi. Xu Duan disseminates and unblocks all channels and excels at connecting the sinews and bones.
  7. Both Sang Ji Sheng and Cx. Acanthopanacis Wu Jia Pi dispel wind-dampness, tonify the Liver and Kidneys and strengthen the sinews and bones. Sang Ji Sheng is neutral, more moistening, and milder in its ability to expel Wind- Dampness. It tonifies the Blood rather than the Yang of the Liver and Kidneys and is best at restoring Blood nourishment to the joints affected by Wind, Cold and Dampness. Wu Jia Pi is acrid, bitter and warm and primarily drives out pathogens. it also warms the Yang of the Liver and Kidneys.
  8. Both Sang Ji Sheng and Cx. Eucommiae Du Zhong treat low back pain. Dispels Wind-Damp and tonifies Blood to treat pain. Du Zhong tonifies Qi and strengthens soft tissue to relieve pain. They are often used together.