Bā Jǐ Tiān (巴戟天), known in English as Morinda root (Morinda officinalis), is a warm, acrid and sweet Chinese herb from the Tonify yang category. It enters the Kidney and Liver channels. Its main action: tonifies Kidney Yang, strengthens sinews and bones.
| Pinyin | Bā Jǐ Tiān (Ba Ji Tian) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 巴戟天 |
| English | Morinda root |
| Botanical name | Morinda officinalis |
| Category | Tonify yang |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Acrid, Sweet |
| Channels | Kidney, Liver |
| Dosage | 9–15g |
| Cautions | Yin deficiency with Heat; Damp-Heat |
Actions
- Tonifies Kidney Yang, strengthens sinews and bones
- Expels Wind-Cold-Damp
Indications
- Kidney Yang deficiency: impotence, infertility, urinary frequency
- Wind-Cold-Damp Bi
How to remember Bā Jǐ Tiān
Tonify yang herbs are mostly warm or hot and sweet, and most enter the Kidney and Liver channels.
- You can work these out
- Warm, Sweet: like most Tonify yang herbs
- Kidney channel: from its action “Tonifies Kidney Yang”
- Liver channel: from its action “strengthens sinews and bones”
- Learn by heart
- Acrid: unusual for Tonify yang herbs (most are sweet)
Other Tonify yang herbs
- Dù Zhòng
- Lù Róng
- Xiān Máo
- Yín Yáng Huò
- Bǔ Gǔ Zhī
- Tù Sī Zǐ
- Suǒ Yáng
- Xù Duàn
- Ròu Cōng Róng
- Dōng Chóng Xià Cǎo
- Hé Táo Rén
- Shā Yuàn Zǐ
- Yì Zhì Rén
- Lù Jiǎo Jiāo
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Bā Jǐ Tiān?
Bā Jǐ Tiān is warm and acrid and sweet.
Which channels does Bā Jǐ Tiān enter?
Bā Jǐ Tiān enters the Kidney and Liver channels.
What are the actions of Bā Jǐ Tiān?
Tonifies Kidney Yang, strengthens sinews and bones; Expels Wind-Cold-Damp.
What is Bā Jǐ Tiān used for?
Kidney Yang deficiency: impotence, infertility, urinary frequency; Wind-Cold-Damp Bi.
Practise Bā Jǐ Tiān and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.