Sāng Jì Shēng (桑寄生), known in English as Mulberry mistletoe stem (Taxillus chinensis), is a neutral, sweet and bitter Chinese herb from the Expel wind-damp category. It enters the Liver and Kidney channels. Its main action: expels Wind-Damp, tonifies Liver and Kidney, strengthens sinews and bones.
| Pinyin | Sāng Jì Shēng (Sang Ji Sheng) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 桑寄生 |
| English | Mulberry mistletoe stem |
| Botanical name | Taxillus chinensis |
| Category | Expel wind-damp |
| Nature | Neutral |
| Flavour | Sweet, Bitter |
| Channels | Liver, Kidney |
| Dosage | 9–15g |
| Cautions | No combined Wind-Damp and deficiency pattern |
Actions
- Expels Wind-Damp, tonifies Liver and Kidney, strengthens sinews and bones
- Nourishes Blood, calms foetus
- Lowers blood pressure (modern)
Indications
- Wind-Damp Bi with Liver/Kidney deficiency
- Low back pain
- Threatened miscarriage
- Hypertension
How to remember Sāng Jì Shēng
Expel wind-damp herbs are mostly bitter, and most enter the Liver and Kidney channels.
- You can work these out
- Bitter: like most Expel wind-damp herbs
- Liver and Kidney channels: from its action “tonifies Liver and Kidney”
- Learn by heart
- Neutral: Expel wind-damp herbs vary in nature
- Sweet: unusual for Expel wind-damp herbs (most are bitter)
Formulas containing Sāng Jì Shēng
Other Expel wind-damp herbs
- Dú Huó
- Qiāng Huó
- Wēi Líng Xiān
- Fáng Jǐ
- Mù Guā
- Wǔ Jiā Pí
- Luò Shí Téng
- Xī Xiān Cǎo
- Qín Jiāo
- Hǎi Tóng Pí
- Sāng Zhī
- Gǒu Jǐ
- Bái Huā Shé
- Cǎo Wū
- Hǎi Fēng Téng
- Chuān Wū
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Sāng Jì Shēng?
Sāng Jì Shēng is neutral and sweet and bitter.
Which channels does Sāng Jì Shēng enter?
Sāng Jì Shēng enters the Liver and Kidney channels.
What are the actions of Sāng Jì Shēng?
Expels Wind-Damp, tonifies Liver and Kidney, strengthens sinews and bones; Nourishes Blood, calms foetus; Lowers blood pressure (modern).
What is Sāng Jì Shēng used for?
Wind-Damp Bi with Liver/Kidney deficiency; low back pain; threatened miscarriage; hypertension.
Which formulas contain Sāng Jì Shēng?
Tiān Má Gōu Téng Yǐn.
Practise Sāng Jì Shēng 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.