The source is from the fruit of Arctum lappa L., family Compositae. The producing areas are mainly in the provinces of Hebei, Zhejiang, etc.. The medicinal material is collected in autumn, dried in the sun. The crude or stir-baked form can all be used. Medicinal Properties Pungent and bitter in flavor, cold in nature and attributive to the lung and stomach meridians. Actions Expel wind and heat, let out the skin eruption, ease the throat, remove toxic materials and dissipate nodules. Application 1. For exterior syndrome of wind and heat type with sore and swollen throat, it can be used together with Bohe (Herba Menthae), Jinyinhua (Flos Lonicerae), and Lianqiao (Fructus Forsythiae), etc., such as Yin Qiao San (Powder); for those with sore and swollen throat of heat type, used together with Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei), Huangqin (Radix Scutellariae) and other herbs that can clear away heat and remove toxic materials. 2. For unsmooth eruption of measles, usually combined with Bohe ( Herba Menthae ) , Jingjie ( Herba Schizonepetae ) , and Chantui ( Periostracum Cicadae), etc.. 3. It is used for carbuncle or pyogenic infection of the skin and mumps, and especially suitable for the carbuncle due to either wind-heat syndrome due to exogenous attack or stasis of toxic heat in the interior accompanied with constipation. It is often used together with Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) , Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas ), and Zhizi (Fructus Gardeniae ), etc.. It is combined with Xuanshen (Radix Scrophulariae), Huangqin (Radix Scutellariae), Banlangen (Radix Isatidis), etc. to treat mumps and pharyngalgia. Usage and Dosage 6 -12 g is used in decoction for oral use. It is pounded into pieces that is used in decoction, and the stir-baked one can reduce its cold nature. Notes Contraindicated in the patient with diarrhea due to qi deficiency.
