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Dianthus, Qu Mai 瞿麦

Fringed Pink, Liliac Pink
Qu Mai (TCM)
Dianthus superbus
Palmstruch, J.W., Svensk botanik (1802-1838)

Botanical name:
Dianthus superbus
Other species used include D. chinensis, D. amurensis, D. versicolor

Parts used:
Whole Herb or aerial parts (best)

Temperature & Taste:
Cold, dry. Bitter

Classification:
C. Clears Damp, Promote Urine

Uses:
1. Clears Damp-Heat, Promotes Urine:
-painful and dribbling urination
-Hematuria with pain
-Gravel and Stones with painful, obstructed and bloody urine
-Gonorrhea (Barefoot Doctors Manual)

2. Clears Heat and Toxin:
-Abscess, Boils, Carbuncles
-Eczema
-Conjunctivitis

3. Moves the Blood, Promotes Menstruation:
-Amenorrhea, Irregular Menstruation
-Uterine Bleeding
-swelling and pain with heat in the lower abdomen
-traditionally as an abortifacient
-has an anti-fertility effect (Duke)
-promotes Labor, expels afterbirth

4. Promotes Breast Milk:
-occasionally used to promote Breast Milk


DOSE:
Decoction: 9–15 grams

Main Combinations:
1. Difficult, Painful and dribbling Urination:
i. Dianthus with Plantain herb (Che Qian Cao)
ii. Dianthus with Polygonum aviculare Bian Xu
ii. Dianthus with Gardenia Zhi Zi
iv. Dianthus with Centella Ji Xue Cao and Plantain herb (Che Qian Cao)
v. Dianthus with Kochia Di Fu Zi, Polyporus Zhu Ling
vi. Dianthus with Imperata Bai Mao Gen, Cynanchum paniculatum, Akebia Mu Tong, Talcum, Betel nut and Glauber's Salt (Mang Xiao) (Ben Cao Gang Mu)
vii. Dianthus with Plantain seed (Che Qian Zi), Polygonum aviculare Bian Xu, Rhubarb (Da Huang), Talcum, Gardenia Zhi Zi, Honey-fried Licorice (Zhi Gan Cao)
2. Frequent, Urgent or Burning Urine, Dianthus with Plantain seed (Che Qian Zi), Scutellaria Huang Qin, Phellodendron Huang Bai, Alisma Ze Xie, Poria Fu Ling, Gardenia Zhi Zi, Rhubarb (Da Huang) (as in Fen Qing Wu Lin Wan of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia)
3. Strangury from Heat, Dianthus with Malva Dong Gui Zi, Pyrrosia Shi Wei, Talcum (Hua Shi)
4. Hematuria with painful, dribbling urine:
i. Dianthus with Gardenia Zhi Zi, Crisium Xiao Ji, Imperata Bai Mao Gen
ii. Dianthus with Tetrapanax Tong Cao, Pyrrosia Shi Wei
5. Amenorrhea:
i. Dianthus with Chinese Motherwort (Yi Mu Cao)
ii. Dianthus with Paeonia Chi Shao, Dang Gui, Ligusticum Chuan Xiong
6. To promote Breast Milk, Dianthus with Vaccaria Wang Bu Liu Xing
7. Anti-allergy, Diamthus with Madder (shown effective against peanut allergy)

Major Formulas:


Cautions:
1. Not used during Pregnancy
2. Overdose can cause Bleeding

Main Preparations used: