Cynomorium, Suo Yang, 锁阳
Scarlet Mushroom, Maltese Mushroom
Suo Yang (TCM)
Tarthuth, Tarathith (Unani)
Suo Yang (TCM)
Tarthuth, Tarathith (Unani)
Cynomorium coccineum
Kerner von Marilaun, Hansen, & Pflanzenleben:
Erster Band: Der Bau und die Eigenschaften der Pflanzen (1887-1891)
Kerner von Marilaun, Hansen, & Pflanzenleben:
Erster Band: Der Bau und die Eigenschaften der Pflanzen (1887-1891)
Whole Suo Yang root (Adam, 2017)
Botanical name:
Cynomorium spp.
Parts used:
fleshy stem
Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Sweet.
Classifications:
N. Tonics
Cynomorium spp.
- C. songaricum (syn. Cynomorium coccineum var. songaricum)
- C. coccineum (Maltese Mushroom)
Parts used:
fleshy stem
Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Sweet.
Classifications:
N. Tonics
Uses:
1. Tonifies Kidneys, Increases Yang:
-Impotence, Infertility (TCM, Unani)
-Urinary frequency, Spermatorrhea, Premature ejaculation
-'tones up loose and flabby organs'. (Avicenna)
2. Nourishes Liver Yin, Nourishes Essence and Blood:
-Weakness and Atrophy disorders
-pain and weakness of the Lower Back and Knees
-Nourishes and increases Sperm
-Apoplexy, Hypertension (Unani)
-Uterine Bleeding and other types of Bleeding (Unani)
-'useful in the atony of the stomach and liver'. (Avicenna)
3. Moisten the Intestines:
-Constipation from Blood or Qi deficiency, or from dryness
-in Unani for obstruction of the Bile duct
4. Stops Bleeding:
-haemorrhagic diarrhoea, postpartum mucous discharge from the womb. (Avicenna)
5. Externally:
-for Itchiness (Unani)
-Hemorrhoids (Unani)
-used topically in tooth powders
DOSE:
1. 'the best way to take it is to add the drug to rice porridge'. (Zhu Zhen Heng)
Decoction: 5–15 grams
Powder: 2–4 grams
It has occasionally been used in the West in doses of 1 dram (3 grams), primarily as an astringent.
COMMENT:
1. The drug has 'twice the efficacy of Cistanches Rou Cong Rong'. (Li Shi Zhen)
2. C. coccineum was introduced by Avicenna after the siege of Malta. In Unani it has been more used as an astringent and to stop Bleeding, but perhaps is better in cases with deficieny. Avicenna noted it for 'flabby organs' and 'atony of the Stomach and Liver', indicating a tonic action.
1. 'the best way to take it is to add the drug to rice porridge'. (Zhu Zhen Heng)
Decoction: 5–15 grams
Powder: 2–4 grams
It has occasionally been used in the West in doses of 1 dram (3 grams), primarily as an astringent.
COMMENT:
1. The drug has 'twice the efficacy of Cistanches Rou Cong Rong'. (Li Shi Zhen)
2. C. coccineum was introduced by Avicenna after the siege of Malta. In Unani it has been more used as an astringent and to stop Bleeding, but perhaps is better in cases with deficieny. Avicenna noted it for 'flabby organs' and 'atony of the Stomach and Liver', indicating a tonic action.
Main Combinations:
1. Infertility and Impotence:
i. Cynomorium Suo Yang with Cistanches Rou Cong Rong.
ii. Cynomorium Suo Yang with Ginseng, Deer Horn, Rehmannia Shu Di Huang, Eucommia Du Zhong, Epimedium Yin Yang Huo, Dang Gui, Cinnamon, Licorice (as in Nan Bao)
iii. Cynomorium Suo Yang with Withania (Unani)
2. Weakness, Atrophy, Paralysis, Motor Impairment, Cynomorium Suo Yang with Achyranthes Niu Xi, Rehmannia Shu Di Huang.
3. Weakness and wasting of the Sinews and Bones, Cynomorium Suo Yang with Mistletoe (Sang Ji Sheng), Dang Gui
4. Premature Ejaculation, Incontinence, frequent Urination from Yang deficiency, Cynomorium Suo Yang with Praying Mantis Egg Case (Sang Piao Xiao)
Cautions:
1. Not used for Kidney Yin deficiency with Heat signs (Yin-deficient Heat)
2. Not for Diarrhea from Spleen deficiency or Constipation from excess Heat.
TOXICITY:
It has low toxicity
–[Subchronic toxicity test of songaria cynomorium herb aqueous extract in rat].
–Toxicity Assessment of Chinese Herbal Medicine Cynomorium songaricum Rupr.
Main Preparations used:
1. Not used for Kidney Yin deficiency with Heat signs (Yin-deficient Heat)
2. Not for Diarrhea from Spleen deficiency or Constipation from excess Heat.
TOXICITY:
It has low toxicity
–[Subchronic toxicity test of songaria cynomorium herb aqueous extract in rat].
–Toxicity Assessment of Chinese Herbal Medicine Cynomorium songaricum Rupr.
Main Preparations used:
Research