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Knowledge baseHerbs

Shi Chang Pu石菖蒲

Rhizoma Acori TatarinowiiSweetflag Rhizome

Also known asRhizoma Acori Gramenei · Grassleaf Sweetflag Rhizome · Rock Sweetflag Root · Acorus

Category
Herbs that open the orifices
Nature
warm
Taste
pungent, bitter, aromatic
Channels entered
Heart, Stomach
Secondary channels
Liver, Spleen, Lung
Dosage
1.5–10 g

Usual doses

Dosage
1.5–10 g
For eye or throat complaints
1.5–3 g
For sensory disturbance or vexation
4.5–7.5 g
Dosage
9 g
Fresh
10–15 g
Tincture
1–3 ml

Actions & indications

Opens the Orifices, vaporizes Phlegm, removes filth, calms the Spirit and disperses Wind
  • Phlegm-Dampness Veiling and Blocking the Sensory Orifices with deafness, dizziness, tinnitus, forgetfulness, dulled senses, and seizures or stupor
  • Wind-Phlegm with seizures or stupor
Transforms turbid Dampness, harmonizes the Middle Jiao, awakens the Spleen and promotes the movement of *Qi*
Dampness Distressing the Spleen and Stomach with chest and epigastric fullness and lumps, anorexia and abdominal fullness and pain due to Dampness and Turbidity Obstructing the Middle Jiao
Promotes Blood flow, reduces swelling and alleviates Wind-Damp Bi and sores (internally and topically)
  • Wind-Cold-Damp Bi
  • Sores (internally and topically)
  • Trauma
Benefits the throat
Hoarse voice due to laryngitis or inflammation of the vocal cords

Contraindications

  • Use cautiously in Yin Deficiency with Heat signs, or in Blood Deficiency.
  • Use cautiously with irritability, excessive sweating, hematemesis or spermatorrhea.
  • Avoid prolonged use or overdosing.

Incompatibilities

Is antagonistic to Hb. Ephedrae Ma Huang.

Interactions

Combined with Rx. Ginseng Ren Shen, Rx. Polygalae Yuan Zhi and Poria Fu Ling, it may lessen ethanol-induced memory impairment and improve scopolamine-induced memory registration deficits.

Combinations

  • Disorientation, irritability, dizziness and hearing trouble from Turbid Dampness blocking the Orifices.

  • Phlegm-Heat veiling the Pericardium, with clouded consciousness and delirium.

  • Wind-Stroke from Phlegm blocking the Heart Orifices, with clouded consciousness, a stiff tongue and loss of speech.

  • Forgetfulness, tinnitus and hearing impairment.

  • Mania from Phlegm-Fire agitating the Heart.

  • Seizures or spasms caused by Phlegm-Heat.

  • Forgetfulness and dulled senses.

  • Insomnia or palpitations resulting from overwork.

  • Reduced hearing and tinnitus from Heart and Kidney Deficiency.

  • Pain and distention of the chest and epigastrium from Turbid Dampness obstructing the Middle Jiao.

  • Fullness and distention of the chest and abdomen, poor appetite, focal distention and pain from Dampness and Turbidity obstructing the Middle.

  • Sudden turmoil disorder from smoldering Damp-Heat.

  • Dysenteric disorders in which the patient cannot eat or drink.

  • Dysenteric disorders with inability to eat.

  • Epigastric and abdominal distention from Dampness and Qi obstruction.

  • Sore, swollen throat with difficulty swallowing and a raspy voice.

  • Hoarseness from Phlegm in the throat or swollen vocal cords.

  • Corneal ulceration.

  • Wind-Cold-Damp Bi with joint pain in the limbs.

  • Transforms Dampness, opens the Orifices and awakens the brain, treating Warm-Damp febrile disease where Heat has entered the Pericardium or turbid Dampness has blocked the clear Orifices — loss of consciousness, confusion, tinnitus and forgetfulness; combined with appropriate herbs, it also addresses Qi, Blood or Phlegm Stagnation with palpitations, forgetfulness, moodiness, withdrawal-mania, hysteria, depression or diminished mental clarity following brain concussion.

  • Forgetfulness, dizziness and fatigue from Heart Qi and Blood Deficiency.

  • High fever with coma or loss of consciousness from Hot Phlegm.

  • Manic behavior with a greasy tongue coating and a slippery pulse.

  • Manic behavior accompanied by constipation.

  • Epilepsy.

  • Tinnitus or diarrhea from Kidney Deficiency.

  • Diarrhea from Damp-Heat.

  • Diarrhea from Spleen Deficiency.

  • Diarrhea accompanied by an Exterior condition.

  • Hoarse voice with dry mouth.

Notes

  • It is regarded as the principal herb for Opening the Orifices, typically paired with Rx. Polygalae Yuan Zhi.
  • Its Orifice-opening action, however, is secondary to its aromatic ability to transform Phlegm.
  • Some sources credit it with benefiting the intellect and also killing parasitic worms.
  • It is said to be effective for Heart Qi Deficiency.
  • It is likewise reputed to nourish the Liver.
  • It is said to strengthen the singing voice.
  • Its volatile oil has a notable sedative effect and is used for patients with restlessness or loss of consciousness.
  • It is said to cure nine kinds of Stomach ailments arising from Qi disorder and to relieve pain.
  • It also supports Stomach function and eases epigastric distention.
  • It has been shown to act against cancer cells.
  • For cancer treatment, 10g is decocted in 200ml of water and taken three times daily.
  • Shi Chang Pu and Rx. Polygalae Yuan Zhi both enter the Heart, clear Phlegm and open the Orifices. Shi Chang Pu is acrid and warm, using its aromatic fragrance to open the Orifices, spread Qi and Dampness, and expel Phlegm. Yuan Zhi expels Phlegm, calms the Spirit and sharpens the mind, using its bitterness to drain downward the Phlegm rebelling upward toward the Heart. The two are frequently used together.

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