Chou Wu Tong臭梧桐
Folium ClerodendriClerodendron Leaf
Also known asForked Glorybower Leaf · Hairy Clerodendron
- Category
- Herbs that dispel Wind-Dampness
- Nature
- cool
- Taste
- pungent, bitter, sweet
- Channels entered
- Liver
- Secondary channels
- Spleen, Heart, Lung
- Dosage
- 4.5–15 g
Usual doses
- Dosage
- 4.5–15 g
- Powder
- 10 g
- Tincture
- 2–4 ml
Actions & indications
- Dispels Wind-Dampness
- Wind-Damp Bi and numbness in the trunk or extremities and hemiplegia
- Eczema
- Calms Liver *Yang and lowers Blood pressure*
- Liver Yang Rising with vertigo and headache
- Hypertension
Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with hypotension.
Notes
- The parts used are the leaf and the tender young twigs.
- It also relieves hemorrhoidal swelling, Wind headaches, one-sided headaches, weak and aching feet that hinder walking, and contracture of the arms severe enough to prevent stretching or lifting them.
- Some sources hold that it addresses Heart Qi Stagnation and Heart Yin Deficiency presenting with throbbing headache, dizziness, restlessness, insomnia, and irritability.
- Chou Wu Tong and Hb. Siegesbeckiae (Xi Xian Cao) both treat Wind-Damp Bi and itchy rashes from Wind or Dampness. Xi Xian Cao excels at dispelling Wind-Dampness from the sinews and bones and treats paralysis following Wind-Stroke, being especially effective for limb numbness, whereas Chou Wu Tong settles Liver Yang to treat dizziness and may be used alone for that purpose.