Bǔ Gǔ Zhī (补骨脂), known in English as Psoralea seed (Psoralea corylifolia), is a warm, acrid and bitter Chinese herb from the Tonify yang category. It enters the Kidney and Spleen channels. Its main action: tonifies Kidney Yang, warms Spleen Yang.
| Pinyin | Bǔ Gǔ Zhī (Bu Gu Zhi) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 补骨脂 |
| English | Psoralea seed |
| Botanical name | Psoralea corylifolia |
| Category | Tonify yang |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Acrid, Bitter |
| Channels | Kidney, Spleen |
| Dosage | 3–9g |
| Cautions | Yin deficiency with Heat; constipation; can cause photosensitivity |
Actions
- Tonifies Kidney Yang, warms Spleen Yang
- Astringes Jing, stops diarrhoea, calms wheezing
- Promotes bone healing (modern — topical)
Indications
- Kidney Yang deficiency: impotence, cold lumbar
- Kidney and Spleen Yang deficiency (5th watch diarrhoea)
- Wheezing
How to remember Bǔ Gǔ Zhī
Tonify yang herbs are mostly warm or hot and sweet, and most enter the Kidney and Liver channels.
- You can work these out
- Warm: like most Tonify yang herbs
- Kidney channel: from its action “Tonifies Kidney Yang”
- Spleen channel: from its action “warms Spleen Yang”
- Learn by heart
- Acrid: unusual for Tonify yang herbs (most are sweet)
- Bitter: unusual for Tonify yang herbs (most are sweet)
Other Tonify yang herbs
- Dù Zhòng
- Lù Róng
- Xiān Máo
- Yín Yáng Huò
- Tù Sī Zǐ
- Bā Jǐ Tiān
- 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 Bǔ Gǔ Zhī?
Bǔ Gǔ Zhī is warm and acrid and bitter.
Which channels does Bǔ Gǔ Zhī enter?
Bǔ Gǔ Zhī enters the Kidney and Spleen channels.
What are the actions of Bǔ Gǔ Zhī?
Tonifies Kidney Yang, warms Spleen Yang; Astringes Jing, stops diarrhoea, calms wheezing; Promotes bone healing (modern — topical).
What is Bǔ Gǔ Zhī used for?
Kidney Yang deficiency: impotence, cold lumbar; Kidney and Spleen Yang deficiency (5th watch diarrhoea); wheezing.
Practise Bǔ Gǔ Zhī 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.