Heat-Clearing and toxicity-Removing Herbs
Gui Zhen Cao (鬼针草)

Name
Gui Zhen Cao (Sticktight)
The Effect of 鬼针草
Property
Bitter, neutral; liver, spleen and large intestine meridians entered.
Actions
Clear heat and remove toxicity, activate blood and dissipate blood stasis.
Indications
Sore throat, traumatic injury, acute appendicitis.
Dosage and Administrations
Decoct 15~30 g, or double the dosage with fresh product, or pounded into juice. Proper dosage is for external application. Pounded for applying or decocted for washing.
Cautions
It is contraindicated to pregnant women.
Sources and further reading
We cite classical materia medica and modern reference works. This article is health education, not medical advice.
- Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), Han dynasty.
- Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen, 1578.
- Chinese Pharmacopoeia, current edition — identity, quality and safety monographs.
- NCCIH and WHO reference material on traditional medicine safety.
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