Chūn Pí (椿皮), known in English as Tree of heaven bark (Ailanthus altissima (bark)), is a cold, bitter and astringent Chinese herb from the Stabilise & bind category. It enters the Large Intestine, Stomach and Liver channels. Its main action: clears Heat, dries Damp.
| Pinyin | Chūn Pí (Chun Pi) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 椿皮 |
| English | Tree of heaven bark |
| Botanical name | Ailanthus altissima (bark) |
| Category | Stabilise & bind |
| Nature | Cold |
| Flavour | Bitter, Astringent |
| Channels | Large Intestine, Stomach, Liver |
| Dosage | 6–9g |
| Cautions | Spleen and Stomach deficiency Cold |
Actions
- Clears Heat, dries Damp
- Astringes, stops vaginal discharge and diarrhoea
- Stops bleeding
Indications
- Red and white vaginal discharge
- Damp-Heat diarrhoea and dysentery
- Chronic diarrhoea and dysentery
- Blood in the stool
- Uterine bleeding
How to remember Chūn Pí
Stabilise & bind herbs are mostly astringent and sweet, and most enter the Kidney channel.
- You can work these out
- Astringent: like most Stabilise & bind herbs
- Large Intestine channel: from its action “stops vaginal discharge and diarrhoea”
- Learn by heart
- Cold: Stabilise & bind herbs vary in nature
- Bitter: unusual for Stabilise & bind herbs (most are astringent or sweet)
- Stomach and Liver channels: nothing in its group or its actions points to them
Other Stabilise & bind herbs
- Wǔ Wèi Zǐ
- Shān Zhū Yú
- Jīn Yīng Zǐ
- Qiàn Shí
- Lián Zǐ
- Fú Xiǎo Mài
- Wū Méi
- Ròu Dòu Kòu
- Hē Zǐ
- Chì Shí Zhī
- Fù Pén Zǐ
- Sāng Piāo Xiāo
- Hǎi Piāo Xiāo
- Lián Xū
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Chūn Pí?
Chūn Pí is cold and bitter and astringent.
Which channels does Chūn Pí enter?
Chūn Pí enters the Large Intestine, Stomach and Liver channels.
What are the actions of Chūn Pí?
Clears Heat, dries Damp; Astringes, stops vaginal discharge and diarrhoea; Stops bleeding.
What is Chūn Pí used for?
Red and white vaginal discharge; Damp-Heat diarrhoea and dysentery; chronic diarrhoea and dysentery; blood in the stool; uterine bleeding.
Practise Chūn Pí 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.