Pharmaceutical Name

Fructus Arctii

Botanical Name

Arctium lappa L.

Common Name

Arctium fruit, Burdock fruit

Source of Earliest Record

Mingyi Bielu

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations

The fruit is gathered in autumn and dried in the sun. The raw fruit can be used, or it can be baked and smashed and then used.

Properties & Taste

Pungent, bitter and cold

Meridians

Lung and stomach

Functions

1. To disperse wind-heat and benefit the throat; 2. To release toxins and bring rashes to the surface

Indications & Combinations

1. Sore throat caused by invasion of wind and heat. Arctium fruit (Niubangzi) is used with Platycodon root (Jiegeng), Mentha (Bohe) and Schizonepeta (Jingjie) in the formula Niubang Tang. 2. Incomplete expression of measles rash. To encourage rashes to the surface, Arctium fruit (Niubangzi) is used with Cimicifuga rhizome (Shengma), Pueraria root (Gegen) and Mentha (Bohe). 3. Toxic heat manifested as swelling, carbuncles and mumps. Arctium fruit (Niubangzi) is used with Viola (Zihuadiding) and Wild chrysanthemum flower (Yejuhua).

Dosage

3-10 g

Cautions & Contraindications

This herb should be used with caution. It is contraindicated in patients with diarrhea.