Achene of Great Burdock — Classic Formulas
Niu Bang Zi · Fructus Arctii Lappae
Primary Actions
- Disperses Wind-Heat and benefits the throat — used for sore throat, tonsillitis, fever, and cough from Wind-Heat invasion
- Clears Heat and relieves toxicity — used for carbuncles, mumps, toxic swellings, and parotid gland inflammation
- Vents rashes — promotes full expression of measles and febrile rashes in early-stage incomplete eruption
- Moistens the Intestines and facilitates bowel movements — used for constipation with dry, difficult-to-pass stools
Classic Formulas
- Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin (普济消毒饮) — Universal Benefit Decoction to Eliminate Toxin; treats wind-heat toxicity with swollen face, throat pain, and mumps
- Yin Qiao San (银翘散) — Honeysuckle and Forsythia Powder; treats Wind-Heat exterior pattern with sore throat, fever, and headache
Classical Text References
- Ming Yi Bie Lu (Miscellaneous Records of Famous Physicians, Tao Hongjing, c. 500 CE) — early documentation of Niu Bang Zi for dispersing Wind-Heat and benefiting the throat
- Dong Yuan You Xiao Fang (Dongyuan's Effective Prescriptions, Li Dongyuan, 13th c.) — source formula for Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin featuring Niu Bang Zi for toxic throat swellings