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Neijing
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Knowledge baseHerbs

Li Zhi He荔枝核

Semen LitchiLeechee Nut

Also known asLychee Pip

Category
Herbs that regulate Qi
Nature
warm
Taste
sweet
Channels entered
Liver, Stomach
Dosage
6–15 g

Usual doses

Dosage
6–15 g
For epigastric pain
24–30 g

Actions & indications

Disperses Cold and Stagnation and stops pain
  • Cold in the Liver Channel with bulging disorders with pain in the groin or testicles
  • Heat in the Liver Channel (with appropriate herbs)
Regulates Qi and stops pain
  • Liver Qi Stagnation with abdominal and epigastric pain
  • Qi and Blood Stagnation with abdominal, premenstrual or postpartum pain

Contraindications

Reserved for patterns associated with Damp-Cold.

Interactions

Caution is advised in patients on insulin, sulfonylureas, or other antidiabetic drugs (e.g., tolbutamide/Orinase, glipizide/Glucotrol, glyburide/DiaBeta or Micronase), since a synergistic effect may produce hypoglycemia.

Combinations

    • Ju He

    Cold in the Liver channel causing bulging disorders, along with ovarian cysts, abdominal masses, and running piglet disorder.

  • Cold-related hernial disorders, including testicular pain and swelling.

  • Testicular redness, swelling, and pain caused by Damp-Heat in the Liver channel.

  • Long-standing epigastric pain stemming from Liver Qi Stagnation.

  • Pain before menstruation or after childbirth, as well as abdominal pain.

    • Zhi Ke

    Bulging disorders.

Notes

  • According to some sources, this herb helps disperse hardness.
  • It is used for gastralgia, testicular swelling, and gynecological stasis with pain.
  • Li Zhi He and Fr. Foeniculi Xiao Hui Xiang share several actions: both address testicular swelling, Cold-Damp lower abdominal masses, prolapse, and pain in women, and both warm the Liver while dispelling Cold from the Lower Jiao to relieve pain. Li Zhi He is the stronger of the two at clearing Cold from the Liver channel and works on both Qi and Blood, whereas Xiao Hui Xiang additionally enters the Kidney and Spleen channels, warming the Middle and easing nausea, and is notably more aromatic and warming.

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