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Apocynum
Botanical name
Apocynum venetum
Family
Apocynaceae
Pin yin name
Luo Bu Ma
Pin yin description
(Luo Bu means to spread out; ma refers to hemp like plants, with tough stems; the herb grows like a weed, spreading out over a large area)
Other common names
Chinese Dogbane
Part used
Leaf
(collected in summer while growing luxuriantly)
Taste
Bland, Astringent
Nature
Slightly Cold
Traditional Chinese uses
Calm the liver to extinguish internal wind, lower blood pressure, promote diuresis
Traditional Chinese applications
Liver heat, preponderance of liver yang, and internal wind causing symptoms of headache, vertigo, restlessness, and insomnia; hypertension; edema
Possible unwanted effects
None noted; however, Apocynum plants contain apocynin, cymarin, and apocynein, which can be toxic in large doses; the result of taking a large amount may be diarrhoea; prolonged use of high doses may cause cardiac insufficiency
Herb drug interactions
None reported; however, caution should be taken in combining this herb with hypotensive and diuretic drugs to avoid excessive lowering of blood pressure
TCM and other contraindications
Cases without internal wind or edema
Formulas
Not currently included in Sen tablet formulas
Author
Subhuti Dharmananda, Ph.D. Institute for Traditional Medicine
Last updated
15 Nov 2002



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