Sān Léng (三棱), known in English as Bur-reed rhizome (Sparganium stoloniferum), is a neutral, bitter Chinese herb from the Invigorate blood category. It enters the Liver and Spleen channels. Its main action: breaks up Blood stasis strongly, dissolves masses.
| Pinyin | Sān Léng (San Leng) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 三棱 |
| English | Bur-reed rhizome |
| Botanical name | Sparganium stoloniferum |
| Category | Invigorate blood |
| Nature | Neutral |
| Flavour | Bitter |
| Channels | Liver, Spleen |
| Dosage | 3–9g |
| Cautions | Pregnancy; no Blood stasis; prolonged use depletes qi and Blood |
Actions
- Breaks up Blood stasis strongly, dissolves masses
- Moves qi, relieves pain
Indications
- Blood stasis masses
- Amenorrhoea
- Food stagnation (used with E Zhu)
How to remember Sān Léng
Invigorate blood herbs are mostly bitter, and most enter the Liver channel.
- You can work these out
- Bitter, Liver channel: like most Invigorate blood herbs
- Learn by heart
- Neutral: Invigorate blood herbs vary in nature
- Spleen channel: nothing in its group or its actions points to it
Other Invigorate blood herbs
- Dān Shēn
- Chuān Xiōng
- Hóng Huā
- Táo Rén
- É Zhú
- 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
- Gǔ Suì Bǔ
- Wǔ Líng Zhī
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Sān Léng?
Sān Léng is neutral and bitter.
Which channels does Sān Léng enter?
Sān Léng enters the Liver and Spleen channels.
What are the actions of Sān Léng?
Breaks up Blood stasis strongly, dissolves masses; Moves qi, relieves pain.
What is Sān Léng used for?
Blood stasis masses; amenorrhoea; food stagnation (used with E Zhu).
Practise Sān Léng 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.