Sundance Acupuncture

Herb & Acupuncture Database

(This is my own personal database of teachers, teachings and notes that I use in my practice. I’ve decided to share it freely with anyone who would like to reference it.)

Bei Dou Gen - 北豆根 - Rhizoma Menispermi

Pharmaceutical Latin:	Rhizoma Menispermi
Common English:	Asiatic Moonseed Rhizome Sinomenium

Category

Herbs That Clear Heat and Purge Fire: Herbs That Clear Heat and Detoxify; Target Warm and Heat Diseases

Properties

Taste	Temperature	Entering Meridians	Dosage
Bitter	Cold	Lung Stomach Large Intestine (Urinary Bladder) (Heart )	3-12g Tincture: 1-3ml

Actions And Indications

Actions	Indications/Syndromes
Clears Heat and resolves toxicity	Wind-Heat toxin affecting the Lungs and Stomach such as sore throat, cough and mumps Snakebite
Dispels Wind and stops pain	Wind-Damp Bi
Resolves Dampness and reduces swelling	Damp-Heat

Contraindications, Incompatibilities And Herb/Drug Interactions

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Contraindicated for those with Spleen and Stomach Deficiency Cold.
Contraindicated for those with diarrhea.
Overdose can cause epigastric pain and fullness, acid regurgitation, vertigo, extensive sweating, chest oppression, tachypnea, agitation, nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure.
There is some cumulative toxicity, do not use continuously.

INCOMPATIBILITIES

HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

Major Combinations

Rz. Belamcandae She Gan Rx. Scrophulariae Xuan Shen	Rx. Scutellariae Huang Qin Rx. Platycodi Jie Geng	Rx. Isatidis Ban Lan Gen Fr. Forsythiae Lian Qiao
Swollen, painful throat from Heat toxin	Cough due to Lung Heat	Mumps
Hb. Artemesiae Yin Chen Hao Rx. et Rz. Rhei Da Huang	Rx. Cynanchi Paniculati Xu Chang Qing Rx. Scutellariae Huang Qin	Rx. Angelicae Pubescentis Du Huo Rx. Clematidis Wei Ling Xian
Damp-Heat jaundice	Damp-Heat dysenteric disorders	Wind-Damp Bi

Notes

It is a recent addition to the pharmacopoeia.
It is used for many problems related to Heat-toxin, swelling in particular.
It is used for irregular heartbeat and for cancers of the upper digestive tract.
It has a use in surgical anesthesia.
In Northern China it is sometimes substituted for Rx. Sophorae Tonkinensis Shan Dou Gen.

For educational reference only; not a substitute for care from a qualified practitioner.