Ma Dou Ling (Birthwort Fruit)

Herb 3 of 12 in Herbs that Relieve Coughing and Wheezing

Channels:

LI, LU

Properties:

Bitter, Slightly Spicy, Cold, Toxic

Latin:

Aristolochiae Fructus

Chinese:

马兜铃

Tone Marks:

mă dōu líng

Translation:

Bell of a horses Hat

Chinese Herb Actions

• Clears Lungs, Transforms Phlegm, Stops Cough and Wheeze
  For cough and wheezing of all types due to Phlegm and Heat
• Clears Heat in the Large Intestine, Reduces Swelling and Pain
  Treats hemorrhoids by clearing Large Intestine Fire
• Lowers Blood Pressure
  For hypertension, especially early stage primary hypertension due to Liver Yang Rising with dizziness and red face

Chinese Herb Contraindications & Cautions

• Do not use in cases with coughing due to deficiency or cold
• Do not use in cases with loose stools due to Spleen Deficiency
• Do not use long term or in large doses

Herb-Drug Interactions

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Chinese Herb Toxicity & Overdose

• This herb contains aristolochic acid, a compound that can cause permanent kidney damage, including kidney failure. It has also been shown to cause cancer, specifically urothelial carcinoma.
• Position paper on the risks associated with the use of herbal products containing Aristolochia
  European Medicines Agency (EMEA)
• This herb is considered toxic.
  (while some Chinese herbs are toxic, it must be noted that many come prepared, or are combined, to mitigate their toxicity)

Chinese Herb Dosage

• 3-10 grams in decoction (Chen)
• 3-9 grams in decoction (Bensky)

This Herb Appears in the Following Formulas:

• Bu Fei e Jiao Tang (Tonify the Lungs Decoction with Ass Hide Gelatin)
  Category: Formulas that Enrich the Yin and Moisten Dryness