Mu Tong
"Open Ended Wood"

Herbs that drain dampness

Channels: BL, HT, SI

Properties: Bitter, Cool

Common: Akebia Caulis

Latin: Caulis Akebiae

Actions:

• Drains Heart heat through the Small Intestine for mouth sores with irritability
• Increases lactation.
• Painful damp heat urininary dysfunction
• Edema
• Leg Qi

Functions:

• To promote water metabolism and relieve abnormal urination;
• To clear heat and promote lactation

Indications & Combinations:

• Damp-heat in the urinary bladder manifested as dysuria, painful urination, frequent urination, urgency of micturition and abdominal distension and fullness, or flaring up of heart fire manifested as ulceration of the mouth and tongue, irritability and blood in the urine. Mutong is used with Zhuye, Gancao and Shengdihuang in the formula Daochi San.

• Insufficient lactation. Mutong is used with Wangbuliuxing and Chuanshanjia, or Mutong is cooked with pig''s feet.

• Avoid giving overdosages of the herb. It is contraindicated during pregnancy.

Dosage:

• 3-6 g