Rhaponticum uniflorum, Lou Lu 漏芦

Rhaponticum
Lou Lu (TCM)

Rhaponticum uniflorum
Gmelin, J.G., Flora sibirica, (1747)

Rhaponticum uniflorum flower
(Photo by Straybird726) (Wikimedia)

Botanical name:

Rhaponticum uniflorum

Parts used:

Root

Temperature & Taste:

Cold, dry. Bitter, Salty

Classification:

B. Clear Heat and Toxin

Uses:

1. Clears Heat, Resists Toxin., Resolves Swellings:

-early stages of Sores, Boils, Carbuncles, Abscesses, Erysipelas with heat and pain
-especially used for painful swelling of the Breast and Breast Abscess
-acute Sore Throat
-Tumors and hard, fixed masses associated with Heat and Toxin
-chronic non-healing Sores and Ulcers
-Damp painful obstructions (Divine Husbandman’s Classic of Materia Medica)
-Hemorrhoids

2. Promotes Milk:

-promotes Milk when associated with Heat

Dose:

Decoction: 6–9 grams (up to 12 grams) daily
Powder: 1–3 grams

Substitute:

1. This herb is considered synonymous with Echinops Yu Zhou Lou Lu
2. Pulsatilla Bai Tou Weng is reportedly used as Lou Lu in some parts of China.
3. The Western Rhaponticum (Rheum rhaponticum) is possibly a good substitute

Main Combinations:

1. Sores, Boils, Carbuncles, Abscess with heat, swelling and pain:
i. Rhaponticum Lou Lu with Dandelion (Pu Gong Ying), Forsythia Lian Qiao
ii. Rhaponticum Lou Lu with Scutellaruia Huang Qin, Burdock seed (Niu Bang Zi)
2. Breast Abscess:
i. Rhaponticum Lou Lu with Rhubarb (Da Huang), Forsythia Lian Qiao
ii. Rhaponticum Lou Lu with Trichosanthes fruit Gua Lou, Fritliiaria Zhe Bei Mu, Dandelion (Pu Gong Ying)
iii. Rhaponticum Lou Lu with Mallow seed (Dong Kui Zi), Angelica Bai Zhi, Paeonia Chi Shao Yao
iv. Breast abscess that has ruptured, Rhaponticum Lou Lu with Trichosanthes root Tian Hua Fen, Dang Gui
3. Chronic non-healing Ulcers, Rhaponticum Lou Lu with Astragalus Huang Qi, Phellodendron Huang Bai, Lonicera Jin Yin Hua.
4. Hard and Fixed masses:
i. Rhaponticum Lou Lu with Lobelia chinensis Ban Bian Lian
ii. Rhaponticum Lou Lu with Rhubarb (Da Huang), Zedoary (E Zhu), Peach kernel (Tao Ren)
5. Obstructed or Scant Breast Milk with Heat, Rhaponticum Lou Lu with Vaccaria Wang Bu Liu Xing.
6. Acute Sore Throat from Heat Toxin, Rhaponticum Lou Lu with Figwort (Xuan Shen), Isatidis Ban Lan Gen

Major Formulas:

Cautions:

1. Not used during Pregnancy
2. Not used in cases of deficiency. It damages Yin and Qi.

Toxicity:

Overdose (30 grams) can cause headache, spasms and lockjaw.

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