Tetrapanax, Tong Cao 通草

Rice Paper Plant
Tong Cao (TCM)

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Tetrapanax papifera
Van Houtte, L.B., Flore des serres et des jardin de l’Europe (1845-1880)

Botanical name:

Tetrapanax papifera

Parts used:

Stem Pith

Temperature & Taste:

Cool, dry. Sweet

Classification:

C. Clears Damp, Promote Urine

Uses:

1. Clears Heat and Damp, Promotes Urine:

-dark, painful, dribbling and difficult Urination; Cystitis
-Edema from heat obstruction

2. Promotes Milk:

-used for insufficient Breast Milk

Dose:

Decoction: 2–5 grams (up to 9 grams)

Main Combinations:

1. Painful Urination:
i. with dribbling, Tetrapanax with Job’s Tears (Yi Yi Ren)
ii. with Blood, Tetrapanax with Dianthus Qu Mai, Pyrrosia Shi Wei
2. To promote Breast Milk:
i. Tetrapanax with Vaccaria Wang Bu Liu Xing
ii. Tetrapanax with Dang Gui and Astragalus Huang Qi
iii. Tetrapanax decocted with Pig feet into a soup

Major Formulas:

San Ren Tang
Xia Ru Yong Quan San

Cautions:

1. Avoid during Pregnancy
2. Caution in cold and weakness of the digestion

Toxicity:

Overdose can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain. It also increases cholesterol via stimulation of triglyceride synthesis.

Main Preparations used:

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