Sanguisorba, Burnet, Di Yu 地榆
Di Yu (TCM)
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Della Materia Medicinale, Andrea Valuassori, 1562
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New Kreuterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563
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S. officinalis. S. minor
Flora von Deutschland (25), Kohler, 1886
Flora von Deutschland (25), Kohler, 1886
Botanical name:
Sanguisorba officinalis
Greater and Lesser types were known
Parts used:
Root
Temperature & Taste:
Slightly Cool, dry. Bitter, Sour. 'of a pleasant nature'.
Classifications:
2P. HEMOSTATIC
3C. ALEXIPHARMIC
Sanguisorba officinalis
Greater and Lesser types were known
Parts used:
Root
Temperature & Taste:
Slightly Cool, dry. Bitter, Sour. 'of a pleasant nature'.
Classifications:
2P. HEMOSTATIC
3C. ALEXIPHARMIC
Uses:
1. Cools the Blood, Stops Bleeding:
-all types of Bleeding associated with Heat
-‘is also most effectual to stop the monthly courses’ (Gerard)
-‘stay fluxes and bleedings, for which purposes it is much commended in Contagious and Pestilential Agues’.
-the carbonised root (stir-fried until scorched) is used in TCM to stop bleeding
2. Stops Leakages:
-Leukorrhea, Spermatorrhea, Diarrhea and Dysentery (TCM, TWM).
-Prevents Miscarriage. (Salmon)
3. Clears Heat, Resists Poison:
-‘Great force for Plague, Pestilence and all malign diseases ... it is good in a Diet against the French Pox’. (Salmon)
-preserves from infection.
-Tumors, Cancer
4. Moves the Qi, Calms the Heart and Mind:
-‘quickens the Spirits, Refresh and Cheer the Heart, and Drive away Melancholy’ (Culpeper)
-‘The leaves of Burnet steeped in wine and drunken, comfort the Heart, and make it merry, and are good against the Trembling and shaking thereof’ (Gerard)
5. Clears Heat and Phlegm, Stops Cough:
-Catarrh, Coughs and Asthma.
-Tuberculosis
6. Tonic:
‘Continual use preserves the body in health and the Spirits in vigor; for if the Sun be the preserver of Life under God, his herbs are the best in the World to dot it ... It is a friend to the Heart, Liver, and other principal parts of a Man’s body’ (Culpeper; Candied Root is a stronger tonic)
7. Externally:
-Sores, Wounds and Burns. It dries excess fluid and promotes the generation of new flesh.
-Old Ulcers, Fistulas, Cancer (Matthiolus)
-powdered seed can also be applied to moist sores.
-applied to Snake and Insect Bites.
-externally for skin conditions including Eczema
NOTE:
1. The leaf can be used similarly to the Root, but is weaker.
2. Juice of the whole herb was used against Poison.
3. The candied root is a stronger tonic.
4. The carbonised root is a stronger hemostatic.
PREPARATION:
1. It is stir-fried to brown or burnt to charcoal to strengthen its hemostatic and astringent effects. Research has shown it is best done by stir-frying it in a frying pan for 7.5 minutes at 250 degrees C. This increases amounts of trace elements (on a weight-for-weight basis), as well as significantly increasing the hemostatic and bacteriostatic effects. (TCM)
2. Burnet root was Candied as other roots were, to make it more tonifying
DOSE:
Of the ROOT in DECOCTION: 5–15 grams, and from 30–60 grams in severe cases, or when the herb is used alone;
Of the FRESHLY EXPRESSED JUICE: 5–20 mls., 2–3 times daily;
Of the TINCTURE (1:5 in 45% alcohol): 30–50 drops.
SUBSTITUTE:
Culpeper said ‘Little inferior to Betony’.
1. The leaf can be used similarly to the Root, but is weaker.
2. Juice of the whole herb was used against Poison.
3. The candied root is a stronger tonic.
4. The carbonised root is a stronger hemostatic.
PREPARATION:
1. It is stir-fried to brown or burnt to charcoal to strengthen its hemostatic and astringent effects. Research has shown it is best done by stir-frying it in a frying pan for 7.5 minutes at 250 degrees C. This increases amounts of trace elements (on a weight-for-weight basis), as well as significantly increasing the hemostatic and bacteriostatic effects. (TCM)
2. Burnet root was Candied as other roots were, to make it more tonifying
DOSE:
Of the ROOT in DECOCTION: 5–15 grams, and from 30–60 grams in severe cases, or when the herb is used alone;
Of the FRESHLY EXPRESSED JUICE: 5–20 mls., 2–3 times daily;
Of the TINCTURE (1:5 in 45% alcohol): 30–50 drops.
SUBSTITUTE:
Culpeper said ‘Little inferior to Betony’.
Main Combinations:
1. Diarrhea and Dysentery, Burnet with Tormentil (equal parts) (Fischer)
2. Diarrhea with Blood in the stool, Burnet with Scutellaria Huang Qin (TCM)
3. Excessive Menstruation, Burnet with Ladies Mantle and Shepherd's Purse (Müller)
4. Nervous Heart disorders, combined Burnet with Rue, Borage and Balm
5. Madness, Burnet with Willow leaf, Meadowsweet, Borage, Balm, St Johns wort, Camphor (The London Practice of Physic, Dr. Willis, 1689)
6. Cancer:
i. Burnet has been combined with Black Nightshade in China
ii. Burnet has also been combined with Bittersweet and Agrimony in China.
7. To preserve from Plague and Epidemic diseases, Burnet, Rosemary, Wormwood, Balm, Blessed Thistle, Betony, Angelica, Zedoary, Licorice, Elecampane, Sage, Calendula
Major Formulas:
Decoction for the Womb (Schroder)
Decoction of Parsley Compound
Syrup of Marshmallow (Fernel)
Syrup of Comfrey Compound
Electuary of Seeds
Cautions:
1. Not suitable for use in Cold bodies
Main Preparations used:
Distilled Water of the whole Plant, Syrup of the Juice, Conserve of the Flowers
1. Not suitable for use in Cold bodies
Main Preparations used:
Distilled Water of the whole Plant, Syrup of the Juice, Conserve of the Flowers