Tu Fu Ling土茯苓

Rhizoma Smilacis GlabraeSmooth Greenbriar Rhizome

Also known asGlabrous Greenbriar Rhizome · China Root · Smilax

Usual doses

Relieves toxicity and eliminates Dampness (benefits the joints): Fire toxicity with turbid, painful urination
Damp-Heat (jaundice)
Damp-Heat Bi (joint pain)
Clears Damp-Heat from the skin: Chuang Yung (recurrent ulcers or other hot skin lesions)
Promotes normal urination (dispels Heat from the Lower *Jiao)*: Re (Heat) Lin with burning, painful urination

- Yi Yi Ren
Joint pain from Damp-Heat toxin.
- Bei Xie
Joint pain and turbid urine from Damp-Heat toxin.
- Pu Gong Ying
Jaundice caused by Damp-Heat in the Liver and Gallbladder.
Hot, painful urinary dysfunction with scanty, dark, painful urine. (Re Lin)
- Chuan Xiong
Lifts clear Yang while sending turbid Qi downward, moves Qi, invigorates Blood, and clears Heat and Dampness, for headache caused by constrained Damp-Heat in the Liver channel.
- Bai Xian Pi
Skin lesions associated with Damp-Heat.
- Jin Yin Hua
- Ye Ju Hua
Abscesses and boils.
Eczema, carbuncles, Damp-type sores, or psoriasis.
Syphilis.

This herb can counteract mercury poisoning.
It is particularly effective against syphilis, especially in its secondary and tertiary stages.
It was formerly used extensively to treat syphilis.
According to one source, it supports Spleen and Stomach function and strengthens the bones and muscles.
It has been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth.
One source states that it drains Damp-Heat and relieves poisoning from Calomelas (Hydrargyrum) Qing Fen, and for this reason is used for syphilis, joint pain, sore throat, and malignant diseases generally.
It is reported to treat psoriasis.
For malignant carbuncles, a decoction of this herb is applied externally.
Its Western counterpart, sarsaparilla, is used in nearly the same way.
Tu Fu Ling and Rx. Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Bei Xie are both sweet, neutral herbs that cool Heat, remove Dampness, expel Wind, and clear painful obstruction. Tu Fu Ling acts mainly on the Liver and Stomach channels, resolving toxic Dampness, expelling Wind, and unblocking painful obstruction; it was traditionally used for its associated skin rashes and sores and the spasms that can arise in later stages. Bei Xie acts mainly on the Liver and Kidney channels and excels at separating the pure from the turbid, cooling Heat, and removing Dampness, making it suited to Milky Lin, Wind-Damp Bi, and Damp-Heat spermatorrhea. Both herbs address the sensation of Urinary Bladder prolapse and burning of the genitals.