Mu Dan Pi

Herbs that Cool the Blood 

Channels: HT, LIV, KI

Properties: Spicy, Bitter, Cool

Common: Cortex of the Peony Tree Root

Latin: Cortex Radicis Moutan

Actions:

• Clears heat and cools the blood: for heat in the blood causing nose bleed, vomiting with blood, bloody phlegm, subcutaneous bleeding, and heavy menstruation.
• Clears fire from yin deficiency: for yin deficiency symptoms, especially without sweating.
• Invigorates the blood and removes stagnation: for abdominal tumors, bruises, lumps, and amenorrhea or dysmenorrhea.
• Calms liver fire: for headache, rib pain, or eye pain.
• Reduces swellings: used topically to drain pus and reduce firm sores. Used internally for intestinal abscesses.

Contraindications:

• Contraindicated in pregnancy, yin deficiency with excessive sweating, and diarrhea. Some traditional sources say this herb is not to be used with Bulbus Fritillariae (bei mu), Semen Cuscutae Chinensis (tu si zi), Radix et Rhizoma Rhei (da huang), and is not to be taken when using garlic.

Dosage:

• 6-12g. Used raw to more effectively cool the blood, charred to stop bleeding, and dry-fried to remove stasis. Part used = root-bark.