Fó Shǒu (佛手), known in English as Finger citron (Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis), is a warm, acrid, bitter and sweet Chinese herb from the Regulate qi category. It enters the Liver, Spleen, Stomach and Lung channels. Its main action: spreads Liver qi, harmonises Middle Jiao.
| Pinyin | Fó Shǒu (Fo Shou) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 佛手 |
| English | Finger citron |
| Botanical name | Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis |
| Category | Regulate qi |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Acrid, Bitter, Sweet |
| Channels | Liver, Spleen, Stomach, Lung |
| Dosage | 3–9g |
| Cautions | Yin deficiency without qi stagnation |
Actions
- Spreads Liver qi, harmonises Middle Jiao
- Transforms phlegm
Indications
- Liver-Spleen/Stomach disharmony
- Flank and epigastric distension
- Nausea
- Phlegm-cough
How to remember Fó Shǒu
Regulate qi herbs are mostly warm or hot, acrid and bitter, and most enter the Spleen and Stomach channels.
- You can work these out
- Warm, Acrid, Bitter: like most Regulate qi herbs
- Liver channel: from its action “Spreads Liver qi”
- Spleen and Stomach channels: from its use for “Liver-Spleen/Stomach disharmony”
- Lung channel: from its action “Transforms phlegm”
- Learn by heart
- Sweet: unusual for Regulate qi herbs (most are acrid or bitter)
Other Regulate qi herbs
- Chén Pí
- Zhǐ Shí
- Mù Xiāng
- Xiāng Fù
- Chén Xiāng
- Qīng Pí
- Chuān Liàn Zǐ
- Lì Zhī Hé
- Dà Fù Pí
- Wū Yào
- Zhǐ Ké
- Jú Hóng
- Xiè Bái
- Tán Xiāng
- Méi Guī Huā
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Fó Shǒu?
Fó Shǒu is warm and acrid, bitter and sweet.
Which channels does Fó Shǒu enter?
Fó Shǒu enters the Liver, Spleen, Stomach and Lung channels.
What are the actions of Fó Shǒu?
Spreads Liver qi, harmonises Middle Jiao; Transforms phlegm.
What is Fó Shǒu used for?
Liver-Spleen/Stomach disharmony; flank and epigastric distension; nausea; phlegm-cough.
Practise Fó Shǒu 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.