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Liquidambar, Lu Lu Tong 路路通

Liquidambar, Fragrant Maple
Lu Lu Tong (TCM)
Liquidambar formosana
Hooker, W.J., Hooker, J.D., Icones Plantarum [Hooker’s Icones plantarum] (1867)

Liquidambar formosana fruit
(Photo by Yoiyoi kancho) (Wikimedia)

Botanical name:
Liquidambar formosana

Parts used:
Fruit

Temperature & Taste:
Neutral. Bitter

Classification:
K. Move the Blood

Uses:
1. Moves Qi and Blood, Opens Obstructions:
-Abdominal pain and distention
-Amenorrhea, scanty or irregular Menstruation
-Breast distention, Breast Abscess
-Bruising, Pain from Trauma

2. Clears Wind, Resolves Damp:
-Wind-Damp painful obstruction of the joint, especially the hands, feet and lower body
-Numbness in the limbs
-Nasal congestion
-Wind rash, Eczema

3. Clears Damp, Promotes Water:
-Edema

4. Promotes Milk:
-Insufficient Lactation


Dose:
Decoction: 4–9 grams

Main Combinations:
1. Abdominal pain, Liquidambar Lu Lu Tong with Costus (Mu Xiang), Bitter Orange Zhi Ke
2. To promote Menstruation, Liquidambar Lu Lu Tong with Cyperus rotundus (Xiang Fu), Dang Gui
3. Pain from Trauma, Liquidambar Lu Lu Tong with Salvia Dan Shen
4. Joint pain from Wind-Damp, Liquidambar Lu Lu Tong with Notopterygium Qiang Huo, Angelica pubescens Du Huo, Spatholobus Ji Xue teng
5. Edema, Liquidambar Lu Lu Tong with Poria Fu Ling, Mulberry bark (Sang Bai Pi)
6. Wind Rash, Liquidambar Lu Lu Tong with Dictamnus Bai Xian Pi, Cicada Slough (Chan Tui)
7. Allergic Rhinitis, Liquidambar Lu Lu Tong with Xanthium fructus Cang Er Zi, Magnolia flos Xin Yi Hua
8. PMS breast distention, Liquidambar Lu Lu Tong with Cyperus rotundus Xiang Fu
9. Breast Abscess, Liquidambar Lu Lu Tong with Vaccaria Wang Bu Liu Xing, Luffa Si Gua Luo

Major Formulas:

Cautions:
Not used during Pregnancy or Heavy menstrual bleeding

Main Preparations used:

Research
1. Anti-inflammatory
2. Antioxidant
3. Anti-anxiety
4. Enhances Cognition
5. Anti-Cancer
6. Horomal-like effects: estrogen and testosterone