Da Huang - Rhubarb
TCM Materia Medica
Da Huang TCM Herb Classifications and Usages
The TCM herb "da huang" which in english is 
"rhubarb", is categorized within the "herbs that drain downward" functional grouping. It is thought to enter the heart, large intestine, liver and stomach channels and exhibits bitter (ku) and cold (han) taste/temperature properties.
Dosages and preparations will vary according to each individual and the overall approach of a formula, but generally this herb has the following dosage and/or preparation guidelines:
- Dosage: 3-12g
- Raw has a more purging effect
- Wine/Vinegar mix has a more blood invigorating effect
- Charred will treat bleeding disorders
Of many possible clinical applications, it may be considered to influence the following issues/symptoms:
- Drains heat and purges accumulations - high fever, profuse sweating, thirst, constipation, abdominal distention and pain, delirium, yellow tongue coating, full pulse which indicates intestinal heat excess or yang ming stage illness.
- Drains heat from the blood - blood in the stool from bleeding hemorrhoids or heat in the intestine; vomting blood or nosebleed accompanied by constipation; painful eyes or fire toxin sores due to heat in the blood level.
- Drains damp-heat via the stool - jaundice, dysentery, lin syndrome.
- Invigorates the blood and dispels blood stasis - amenorrhea, abdominal masses, fixed pain due to blood stasis (recent and long-term blood stasis).
- Clears heat and reduces fire toxicity - for burns, hot skin.
Da Huang has some precautions to be considered (see our precautions list).
- Avoid During Pregnancy and During Nursing
- Avoid in exterior disorders and deficiency of qi and/or blood
Da Huang may potentially be used, in coordination with a well tailored formula (in most cases), to influence the following conditions: abdominal pain, amenorrhea (absence of menstruation), constipation, deafness (hearing loss), delirium, fever, jaundice and/or sweat problems
While it may not always be included depending on the manufacturer or herbalist making the formula, da huang is generally included in the following 18 formulas:
As noted above, da huang is within the herbs that drain downward functional group. All the herbs in this category are listed below.
(truncated intro "... purgatives - constipation from interior-heat or interior-cold (both are interior excesses). moist laxatives - often nuts or seeds, lubrica…)".
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