Sang Zhi - 桑枝 - Ramulus Mori - Mulberry Twig

Pharmaceutical Latin:	Ramulus Mori
Common English:	Morus Twig Mulberry Twig

Properties

Taste	Temperature	Entering Meridians	Dosage
Bitter (Sweet)	Neutral (Slightly Cold)	Liver	9-15g Severe cases: up to 60g Tincture: 2-5ml

Actions

Indications/Syndromes

Benefits the joints, Dispels Wind-Dampness, Stops spasms, Unblocks the channels and collaterals

Wind-Damp with spasms, especially warm Bi in the upper extremities

Numbness in the extremities or hemiplegia as sequelae for Wind-Stroke

Promotes diuresis and reduces edema (regulates water metabolism)

Edema especially when accompanied by joint pain

CONTRAINDICATIONS

INCOMPATIBILITIES

HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

Rx. Aristolochiae Guang Fang Ji Rx. Clematidis Wei Ling Xian Or Rx seu Rz. Notopterygii Qiang Huo Rx. Angelicae Pubescentis Du Huo Caul. Piperis Kadsurae Hai Feng Teng	Fol. Mori Sang Ye	Ram. Cinnamomi Gui Zhi
Wind-Damp Bi.	Disperses External Wind-Heat in the head, face, muscle layer, channels, collaterals and joints to expel Wind, drain Heat, unblock the collaterals and alleviate pain to treat whole body pain due to External Wind-Heat.	Pain in the upper extremities.
Rx. Aristolochiae Guang Fang Ji Rx. Clematidis Wei Ling Xian Rx. Angelicae Pubescentis Du Huo
Generalized Bi syndrome.

Mild in action, this herb expels Wind and clears Heat, making it useful for Bi pain in children and adolescents. People of this age are generally not Deficient; they are more prone to Wind-Dampness invasion of short duration.
Used by itself, it can treat Wind-Heat Bi syndrome affecting the shoulders and arms.
In large doses, it treats hemiplegia or paralysis following a stroke.
Sang Zhi and Ram Cinnamomi Gui Zhi both unblock the collaterals. Being acrid and warm, Gui Zhi is better suited to Cold Bi and has a broader range of action than Sang Zhi, which expels Wind and eliminates Dampness. Sang Zhi is slightly cooling, so it is the better choice for Wind-Heat and Dampness or when itching is prominent.
Sang Zhi and Lignum Pini Nodi Song Jie both dispel Wind-Dampness and are frequently used for Wind-Damp Painful Obstruction of the sinews, bones and joints. Sang Zhi is neutral and suits either Cold or Heat Bi. Song Jie is warm and drying and suits Wind-Cold-Damp Bi.
Sang Zhi, Ram. Cinnamomi Gui Zhi, Rx. Achyranthis Bidentatae Niu Xi and Fr. Chaenomelis Mu Gua are all common choices for Bi syndrome. Sang Zhi and Gui Zhi work best on the upper body, while Niu Xi and Mu Gua work best on the lower body. Sang Zhi is most effective for Hot Bi, and Gui Zhi for Cold Bi. Mu Gua relieves pain by easing muscle spasms and cramps, whereas Niu Xi relieves pain by tonifying the Liver and Kidneys.