Hu Zhang / Hu Jiang - 胡杖 / 虎杖 - Rhizoma Polygoni Cuspidati

Pharmaceutical Latin:	Rhizoma Polygoni Cuspidati
Common English:	Bushy Knotweed Rhizome Giant Knotweed Japanese Knotweed Root Polygoni Cuspidatum

Properties

Taste	Temperature	Entering Meridians	Dosage
Bitter (Sweet) (Sour) (Slightly Acrid) (Astringent)	Cold (Cool) (Warm)	Liver Gallbladder Lung	8-30g Tincture: 2-4ml 9-15g (Secondary source)

Actions	Indications/Syndromes
Dispels Blood Stasis, Invigorates the Blood, Stops pain, Unblocks the channels	Amenorrhea due to Blood Stasis Wind-Damp Bi Traumatic injury
Clears Heat and resolves Dampness	Damp-Heat jaundice Turbid vaginal discharge Turbid, painful urinary dysfunction
Discharges toxins and disperses swelling	Toxic skin conditions, burns and carbuncles
Drains Heat, transforms Phlegm and stops cough	Lung Heat cough Constipation due to clumping of Heat

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Contraindicated during pregnancy.
Combine with tonics to avoid harm.
Reported side effects are: dry mouth, bitter taste in the mouth, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

INCOMPATIBILITIES

HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

Use caution for those taking insulin, sulfonylureas and other antidiabetics such as tolbutamide (Orinase), glipizide (Glucotrol) and glyburide (DiaBeta/Micronase) as there may be a synergistic effect leading to hypoglycemia.

Hb. Leonuri Yi Mu Cao Rx. Salviae Miltiorrhizae Dan Shen (Rx. Rubiae) (Qian Cao Gen)	Caulis Spatholobi Ji Xue Teng Cacumen Tamaricis Xi He Liu	Rx. Angelicae Sinensis Dang Gui Flos Carthami Hong Hua
Amenorrhea Menstrual pain from Blood Stasis	Bi Pain	Trauma pain
Hb. Artemisiae Scopariae Yin Chen Hao Hb. Lysimachiae Jin Qian Cao Or Hb. Artemisiae Scopariae Yin Chen Hao Fr. Gardeniae Zhi Zi Rx. et Rz. Rhei Da Huang	Sm. Coicis Yi Yi Ren Rz. Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Bei Xie	Rx. Aucklandiae Mu Xiang Fr. Aurantii Zhi Ke
Damp-Heat jaundice	Turbid Damp vaginal discharge	Biliary or urinary tract stones
Hb. Lysimachiae Jin Qian Cao	Flos Lonicerae Jin Yin Hua Fr. Forsythiae Lian Qiao	Sesame Oil
Biliary or urinary tract stones	Resolves toxicity	With fresh Hu Zhang topically for burns
Rx. Scutellariae Huang Qin Flos Lonicerae Jin Yin Hua Fol. Eriobotryae Pi Pa Ye	Olibanum Ru Xiang Myrrh Mo Yao Flos Carthami Hong Hua	Rx. Curcumae Yu Jin Endothelium Corneum Gigeriae Galli Ji Nei Jin Hb. Lygodii Hai Jin Sha Hb. Lysimachiae Jin Qian Cao Fr. Toosendan Chuan Lian Zi Rz. Corydalis Yan Hu Suo
Lung Heat cough	Sports and traumatic injuries	Gallstones
Flos Lonicerae Jin Yin Hua Fr. Forsythiae Lian Qiao Hb. Taraxaci *Pu Gong Ying*
Abscesses of the Internal organs Snakebite (as a topical paste)

Certain sources classify it as a "Damp-Heat Clearing" herb.
Its actions include invigorating the Blood, breaking up Stasis, expelling Wind, eliminating Dampness, cooling Heat, resolving toxicity, transforming Phlegm and stopping cough.
It travels through all the channels and collaterals, attacks every kind of toxic Swelling, relieves sore throat and promotes urination.
Combined with tonic herbs, it becomes an important remedy for painful urinary dysfunction in elderly patients with Qi and Blood Deficiency.
Ground fresh and applied externally, the herb treats burns, sores, hemorrhoids and other skin infections.
Wine-fried Bushy Knotweed Rhizome Jiu Chao Hu Zhang has a stronger action of invigorating Blood and soothing the sinews and is less apt to upset digestion.
According to one source, it tonifies the muscles and bones and builds strength.
Research indicates that it inhibits cancer cell growth.
One source notes that it is generally indicated for abdominal masses and for regulating menstruation.
A different source describes it as effective for joint disorders and Blood Stagnation.
To treat abdominal masses, tinnitus, heavy limbs, irregular menstruation and impotence, combine this herb with 600g of Sm. Dolichorus Bai Bian Dou and 200ml of aged wine, then decoct in 2000ml of water. Each dose is 5ml.
One source reports that bathing the hands and feet in this herb cures their swelling and pain.