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Knowledge baseHerbs

Wu Jia Pi五加皮

Cortex AcanthopanacisAcanthopanacis Root Bark

Also known asEleuthrococcus Root Bark · Five Additions Root Bark · Siberian Ginseng

Category
Herbs that dispel Wind-Dampness
Nature
warm
Taste
pungent, bitter
Channels entered
Kidney, Liver
Dosage
4.5–15 g

Usual doses

Dosage
4.5–15 g
Tincture
2–4 ml

Actions & indications

Dispels Wind-Dampness, nourishes (warms) the Liver and Kidneys and strengthens sinews and bones
Chronic Wind-Cold-Damp Bi with underlying Kidney and Liver Deficiencies generating weak or soft bones or sinews
Transforms Dampness and reduces swelling
Urinary difficulty, edema, and Cold Damp “Leg Qi”

Contraindications

  • Use with caution in Yin Deficiency with signs of Heat.
  • Contraindicated when Fire, rather than Wind, Cold, or Damp pathogens, is present in the lower body.

Combinations

  • Clears pathogenic Wind, Dampness and Cold while tonifying the Liver and Kidneys to strengthen the sinews and bones, treating lower back and leg pain, aching feet and knees, restricted joint movement, and weak lower limbs that result from Liver-Kidney Deficiency allowing Wind-Damp-Cold to invade; also hypertension in patients with Liver-Kidney Deficiency.

  • Wind-Damp Bi with muscle spasm and pain.

  • Chronic illness that has led to Liver-Kidney Deficiency and consequent painful obstruction.

  • Delayed motor development in children.

  • Trauma, fractures included.

  • Mild edema of the skin surface.

Notes

  • Well suited to elderly or frail patients, this herb is steeped in wine and applied for lower back pain, joint aches, and trouble walking.
  • It works particularly well when Qi and Blood movement is blocked.
  • It also helps children whose motor development is delayed.
  • According to some sources, it invigorates the Blood and clears Blood Stasis.
  • It is prescribed when rheumatic or arthritic complaints accompany an underlying weakness of connective tissue.
  • Its main indications are joint pain from Wind-Damp Bi along with cramping and stiffness of the sinews, though it also addresses impotence, scrotal dampness, itching from skin dampness, genital itching, cold pain of the lower back and spine, and delayed development of the motor skills needed for a child's first steps; in addition it promotes urination and is used for superficial skin edema.
  • Research has shown it inhibits cancer cell growth.
  • It is reputed to remedy impotence, scrotal infection, and dribbling urination in men, and vulvar itching, spinal pain, and foot pain and numbness in women.
  • It is also said to strengthen and regulate Jing, firm up the muscles and bones, and bolster willpower.
  • Taken over a long period, it is said to give the body a feeling of lightness and forestall aging.
  • For the five strains and seven impairments, 1g is taken daily by mouth with wine.
  • One of its notable qualities is its ability to regulate and balance the body's functions.
  • Wu Jia Pi and Hb. Taxilli Sang Ji Sheng share the ability to dispel Wind-Dampness, tonify the Liver and Kidneys, and strengthen sinews and bones. Sang Ji Sheng, being neutral and more moistening, expels Wind-Dampness more gently; it tonifies Blood rather than Liver-Kidney Yang and excels at bringing Blood nourishment back to joints affected by Wind, Cold, and Dampness. Wu Jia Pi, acrid, bitter, and warm, is chiefly for expelling pathogens and also warms Liver-Kidney Yang.
  • Sichuan Acanthopanacis Chuan Wu Jia Pi is warm, acrid, mild, harmonizing, and non-toxic, making it well suited for medicinal wine — it is in fact the substance used to make Wu Jia Pi Liquor.

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