Gǔ Suì Bǔ (骨碎补), known in English as Drynaria rhizome (Drynaria fortunei), is a warm, bitter Chinese herb from the Invigorate blood category. It enters the Liver and Kidney channels. Its main action: heals injury, relieves pain — mends sinews and bones.
| Pinyin | Gǔ Suì Bǔ (Gu Sui Bu) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 骨碎补 |
| English | Drynaria rhizome |
| Botanical name | Drynaria fortunei |
| Category | Invigorate blood |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Bitter |
| Channels | Liver, Kidney |
| Dosage | 3–9g |
| Cautions | Yin deficiency with Heat; no Blood stasis |
Actions
- Heals injury, relieves pain — mends sinews and bones
- Tonifies Kidney, strengthens bones
- Dispels Wind, removes spots (topical)
Indications
- Falls, sprains and fractures
- Low back pain and weak sinews and bones from Kidney deficiency
- Tinnitus, deafness and loose teeth
- Alopecia areata and vitiligo (topical)
How to remember Gǔ Suì Bǔ
Invigorate blood herbs are mostly bitter, and most enter the Liver channel.
- You can work these out
- Bitter: like most Invigorate blood herbs
- Liver channel: from its action “relieves pain — mends sinews and bones”
- Kidney channel: from its action “Tonifies Kidney”
- Learn by heart
- Warm: Invigorate blood herbs vary in nature
Other Invigorate blood herbs
- Dān Shēn
- Chuān Xiōng
- Hóng Huā
- Táo Rén
- É Zhú
- Sān Léng
- Rǔ Xiāng
- Mò Yào
- Yán Hú Suǒ
- Chuān Niú Xī
- Huái Niú Xī
- Jiāng Huáng
- Yù Jīn
- Zé Lán
- Yì Mǔ Cǎo
- Wáng Bù Liú Xíng
- Jī Xuè Téng
- Wǔ Líng Zhī
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Gǔ Suì Bǔ?
Gǔ Suì Bǔ is warm and bitter.
Which channels does Gǔ Suì Bǔ enter?
Gǔ Suì Bǔ enters the Liver and Kidney channels.
What are the actions of Gǔ Suì Bǔ?
Heals injury, relieves pain — mends sinews and bones; Tonifies Kidney, strengthens bones; Dispels Wind, removes spots (topical).
What is Gǔ Suì Bǔ used for?
Falls, sprains and fractures; low back pain and weak sinews and bones from Kidney deficiency; tinnitus, deafness and loose teeth; alopecia areata and vitiligo (topical).
Practise Gǔ Suì Bǔ 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.