Wu Jia Pi - 五加皮 - Cortex Acanthopanacis

Pharmaceutical Latin:	Cortex Acanthopanacis
Common English:	Acanthopanacis Root Bark / Acanthopanax root bark Eleuthrococcus Root Bark Five Additions Root Bark Siberian Ginseng

Category

Herbs that Dispel Wind-Dampness

Properties

Taste	Temperature	Entering Meridians	Dosage
Acrid Bitter	Warm	Kidney Liver	4.5-15g Tincture: 2-4ml 4.5-9g (Secondary source)

Actions And Indications

Actions	Indications/Syndromes
Dispels Wind-Dampness, nourishes (warms) the Liver and Kidneys and strengthens sinews and bones	Chronic Wind-Cold-Damp Bi with underlying Kidney and Liver Deficiencies generating weak or soft bones or sinews
Transforms Dampness and reduces swelling	Cold Damp “Leg Qi”, Edema, Urinary difficulty

*Contraindications, Incompatibilities And Herb/Drug Interactions

Major Combinations

Cx. Eucommiae Du Zhong	Rx. Clematidis Wei Ling Xian Rz. seu Rx. Notopterygii Qiang Huo Rx. Gentianae Qin Jiao	Hb. Taxilli Sang Ji Sheng Rx. Achyranthis Bidentatae Niu Xi Rx. Dipsaci Xu Duan
Eliminates pathogenic Wind, Dampness and Cold, strengthens the Liver and Kidneys to strengthen sinews and bones and treat low back and leg pain, aching of the feet and knees, restricted movement of the joints and weakness of the lower limbs due to Kidney and Liver Deficiencies which allows Wind-Damp- Cold to enter. Hypertension in patients with Liver and Kidney Deficiency.	Wind-Damp Bi causing muscle spasms and pain.	Long term illness causing Liver and Kidney Deficiencies and subsequently painful obstruction.
Hb. Taxilli Sang Ji Sheng Rx. Achyranthis Bidentatae Niu Xi Rx. Dipsaci Xu Duan Fr. Chaenomelis Mu Gua	Pyritum Zi Ran Tong Olibanum Ru Xiang Eupolyphaga/Steleophaga Tu Bei Chong	Per. Arecae Da Fu Pi Poria Fu Ling Pi
Developmental delays in the motor functions of children.	Trauma, including fractures.	Mild superficial edema.

Notes

1. This herb suits elderly and weak patients. Soaked in wine, it is used for low back pain, arthralgia and difficulty walking.
2. It is particularly helpful when the flow of Qi and Blood is obstructed.
3. It also helps children whose motor development is delayed.
4. According to some sources, it Invigorates the Blood and eliminates Blood Stasis.
5. It is prescribed when rheumatic or arthritic conditions occur alongside an underlying weakness of the connective tissue.
6. Its main indications are joint pain from Wind-Damp Bi and cramping and stiff movement of the sinews, yet it is also helpful for impotence, scrotal dampness, itching from skin dampness, genital itching, cold aching of the lower back and spine, and delays in the motor skills a young child needs to take its first steps. It also promotes urination and is used for edema at the skin level.
7. Research indicates that this herb can suppress cancer cell growth.
8. It is reported to cure impotence, scrotal infection and dribbling urination in men, and pruritis vulva, spinal pain and pain and numbness of the feet in women.
9. It is further said to Improve and regulate Jing, firm the muscles and bones and strengthen will power.
10. Taken over a long period, it is said to make the body feel light and to prevent aging.
11. For the five kinds of strain and seven kinds of impairment, take 1g orally each day with wine.
12. A distinctive quality of this herb is that it regulates and balances bodily functions.
13. Wu Jia Pi and Hb. Taxilli Sang Ji Sheng both dispel wind-dampness, tonify the Liver and Kidneys and strengthen the sinews and bones. Sang Ji Sheng is neutral and more moistening, with a milder action in expelling Wind- Dampness. Rather than the Yang of the Liver and Kidneys, it tonifies the Blood, and it excels at restoring Blood nourishment to joints affected by Wind, Cold and Dampness. Wu Jia Pi is acrid, bitter and warm and mainly drives out pathogens. It also warms the Yang of the Liver and Kidneys.
14. Sichuan Acanthopanacis Chuan Wu Jia Pi is warm and acrid, quite gentle, harmonious and non-toxic. It is particularly suitable for medicinal liquor and is the ingredient used in Wu Jia Pi Liquor.