Zhu Yang Yang - 猪殃殃 - Herba Galii Aparinis

Pharmaceutical Latin:	Herba Galii Aparinis
Common English:	Cleavers Galium Goose Grass

Category

Herbs that Clear Heat and Purge Fire: Heat that Clear Heat and Resolve Toxicity

Properties

Taste	Temperature	Entering Meridians	Dosage
Sweet Acrid Bitter	Slightly Cold Cold	Lung Heart Liver Spleen Stomach Large Intestine Kidney	15-60g

Actions And Indications

Actions	Indications/Syndromes
Clears Heat, cools the Blood and resolves toxicity	Stomach and Intestinal catarrh, irritations of mucous membranes, tonsillitis, jaundice, fever, scarlet fever, measles, appendicitis, all acute diseases, sores and boils, snake and insect bites
Heals wounds, Invigorates the Blood, Stops bleeding, Unblocks the channels	The juice of the fresh plant or a tea made from the dried plant is popular for skin problems, uterine bleeding, dysmenorrhea, traumatic injury
Expels Wind-Dampness and promotes urination	Common cold, Urinary tract infections, cystitis, arthritis, inflammatory stages of gonorrhea, edema, leukorrhea, dysentery, hematuria, hematochezia
Dissolves accumulations and expels stones	Kidney stones, scrofula

Contraindications, Incompatibilities And Herb/Drug Interactions

Major Combinations

Hb. Plantaginis Che Qian Cao
Use 30g of each herb for edema and difficult urination

Notes

1. Cleavers has a long reputation among herbalists as a valuable lymphatic tonic and diuretic. The lymphatic system is how the body washes toxins out of the tissues, returning them to the bloodstream so the Liver and kidneys can cleanse them. Because of this cleansing action, cleavers is helpful for conditions such as psoriasis and arthritis that improve when the blood is purified. As a dependable diuretic, it helps clear gravel and urinary stones and treats urinary infections. In cats, these same actions make it a safe long-term support in managing feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), and it may also help with chronic low-grade kidney inflammation. Studies found that cleavers extract reduced blood pressure without slowing the heart rate or causing any dangerous side effects.
2. A relative of coffee, this herb has roasted seeds that serve as a coffee substitute, and its young leaves can be cooked and eaten like spinach.
3. Research has demonstrated that it inhibits cancer cell growth.
4. In ancient times it was regarded as an excellent remedy for obesity and for cleansing the Blood.
5. Applied as a lotion, it is a first-rate tonic for the skin and for the scalp, which it rids of dandruff.
6. It was formerly believed to cure leprosy and is still employed for skin cancer.
7. For breast, thyroid, cervical and submandibular gland cancer, decoct 30g (or 150g fresh) with a suitable amount of brown sugar and take one dose 3-6 times a day.
8. Appendicitis is treated by decocting 120-180g of the fresh herb.
9. For cancer of the tongue and gums, gargle with it every day; the dosage is unrestricted.
10. Ulcerated breast cancer, vulvar cancer and penile cancer are treated with external applications of this herb.
11. Visceral and breast cancer call for 30g taken in decoction, or 150g pounded into juice.
12. One source states that the herb cures carbuncles, abdominal masses, tympanites and jaundice.
13. In breast cancer, either decoct and drink it, or pound 120g of the herb, mix it with lard and apply it externally.
14. It has demonstrated inhibitory effects against acute lymphocytic leukemia and acute agranulocytic leukemia.