Ji Xue Cao - Asiatic Pennywort, Gotu Kola
TCM Materia Medica
Ji Xue Cao TCM Herb Classifications and Usages
The TCM herb "ji xue cao" which in english is "asiatic pennywort, gotu kola", is categorized within the "herbs that clear heat and dry dampness" functional grouping. It is thought to enter the kidney, large intestine, liver, small intestine and spleen channels and exhibits acrid, 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: 9-15g dried, 15-30g fresh.
Of many possible clinical applications, it may be considered to influence the following issues/symptoms:
- Useful for gastrointestinal disorders related to damp heat - pain, dysentery, enteritis. Liver involved symptoms such as jaundice.
- Diarrhea from summerheat.
- Cools the blood and stops bleeding - nosebleeds, bleeding in the urine, uterine bleeding.
- Useful to clear heat from the liver and benefit the eyes - glaucoma, cataracts, pinkeye.
Ji Xue Cao has some precautions to be considered (see our precautions list).
- Use with caution in pregnancy.
A single herb is not often thought of as an empirical way to influence a TCM diagnostic pattern. Ji Xue Cao, however, is a strong candidate to be considered when needing to influence large intestine damp heat, liver and gallbladder damp heat and/or summer heat.
Ji Xue Cao may potentially be used, in coordination with a well tailored formula (in most cases), to influence the following conditions: diarrhea, dysentary, glaucoma, jaundice, nosebleed (epistaxis) and/or uterine bleeding
As noted above, ji xue cao is within the herbs that clear heat and dry dampness functional group. All the herbs in this category are listed below.
(truncated intro "... for damp-heat patterns with dysenteric disorders, urinary difficulty or pain, jaundice, furuncles, eczema. bitter and cold - clear heat and drain dampness; avoid in cases of stomach and/or spleen deficiency. often combined with herbs that…)".
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