Herbs that Invigorate Blood and Remove Stagnation
Yi Mu Cao 益母草
Herba Leonuri Heterophylli Chinese Motherwort
✓ CALE Exam ✓ National Exam
Materia Medica Data
- Temperature
- Slightly Cold
- Nature & Flavour
- Spicy, Bitter, Slightly Cold
- Channels Entered
- HT, LIV, BL, PER
- Latin (pharmaceutical)
- Herba Leonuri Heterophylli
- Chinese
- 益母草
- Tone Marks
- yì mŭ căo
- Translation
- Benefit Mother Herb
Chinese Herb Actions
- Invigorates Blood, Dispels Blood Stasis, Reduces Masses A very important herb for gynecological disorders due to blood stagnation. It regulated blood in the chong and treats irregular menses, amenorrhea, postpartum abdominal pain, heavy menses with clots, fixed abdominal masses, infertility and traumatic pain.
- Promotes Urination, Reduces Swelling and Edema For acute systemic edema especially if blood in the urine. Treats dysuria, scanty urine, chronic edema, heavy sensation in the back and legs, abdominal distension, fullness after meals, sallow complexion, fatigue, listlessness and difficulty moving. For edema associated with chronic nephritis. Also for kidney stones.
- Clears Heat and Toxin For dermatological disorders including eczema, sores, lesions, ulcers, itchy rashes, and toxic swellings
Chinese Herb Dosage
- 9-15 grams in decoction, maximum dose of 30 grams (Bensky)
- 10-15 grams in decoction, maximum dose of 30 grams (Chen)
Chinese Herb Contraindications & Cautions
- Use strict caution in pregnancy
- Do not use in Blood and Yin Deficient patients
- Do not use in Yang Deficient patients with prolapse
Chinese Herb Toxicity & Overdose
- The alkaloid content makes this herb slightly toxic with symptoms including sudden general weakness, stiffness, paralysis, general body pains, oppressive sensation in chest, excess sweating, low blood pressure, cold extremities, shock, cyanosis, respiratory paralysis and miscarriage.
Sources & References
Compiled and edited by Thomas Dehli, Founder & Editor, Sacred Lotus
The information here is referenced from numerous sources — teachers, practitioners, class notes from Five Branches University, the books below, and the published research literature, with citations given as resolvable PubMed identifiers. Where sources disagree, I have flagged the discrepancies directly. If facts couldn't be verified, I have left them out. How we source our content.
Reference information for students and practitioners — not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner. Terms of use.
Chinese Herbs Books & References
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