Tǔ Fú Líng (土茯苓), known in English as Glabrous greenbrier rhizome (Smilax glabra), is a neutral, sweet and bland Chinese herb from the Clear heat category. It enters the Liver and Stomach channels. Its main action: resolves toxicity, eliminates Damp.
| Pinyin | Tǔ Fú Líng (Tu Fu Ling) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 土茯苓 |
| English | Glabrous greenbrier rhizome |
| Botanical name | Smilax glabra |
| Category | Clear heat |
| Nature | Neutral |
| Flavour | Sweet, Bland |
| Channels | Liver, Stomach |
| Dosage | 15–60g |
| Cautions | Incompatible with tea |
Actions
- Resolves toxicity, eliminates Damp
- Clears Damp-Heat, benefits joints
Indications
- Syphilis
- Damp-Heat sores and rashes
- Turbid urine
- Joint pain from Damp-Heat
How to remember Tǔ Fú Líng
Clear heat herbs are mostly cool or cold and bitter, and most enter the Stomach and Liver channels.
- You can work these out
- Liver and Stomach channels: like most Clear heat herbs
- Learn by heart
- Neutral: unusual for Clear heat herbs (most are cool or cold)
- Sweet: unusual for Clear heat herbs (most are bitter)
- Bland: unusual for Clear heat herbs (most are bitter)
Other Clear heat herbs
- Shí Gāo
- Zhī Mǔ
- Huáng Qín
- Huáng Lián
- Huáng Bǎi
- Lóng Dǎn Cǎo
- Zhī Zǐ
- Jīn Yín Huā
- Lián Qiào
- Pú Gōng Yīng
- Tiān Huā Fěn
- Lú Gēn
- Zhú Yè
- Xià Kū Cǎo
- Jué Míng Zǐ
- Kǔ Shēn
- Qín Pí
- Bái Xiān Pí
- Zǐ Huā Dì Dīng
- Bái Huā Shé Shé Cǎo
- Bǎn Lán Gēn
- Shè Gān
- Dì Gǔ Pí
- Qīng Hāo
- Yín Chái Hú
- Hú Huáng Lián
- Mǔ Dān Pí
- Chì Sháo
- Xuán Shēn
- Shuǐ Niú Jiǎo
- Bái Wēi
- Bái Tóu Wēng
- Bài Jiàng Cǎo
- Yú Xīng Cǎo
- Shān Dòu Gēn
- Mǎ Bó
- Yě Jú Huā
- Lǜ Dòu
- Hé Yè
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Tǔ Fú Líng?
Tǔ Fú Líng is neutral and sweet and bland.
Which channels does Tǔ Fú Líng enter?
Tǔ Fú Líng enters the Liver and Stomach channels.
What are the actions of Tǔ Fú Líng?
Resolves toxicity, eliminates Damp; Clears Damp-Heat, benefits joints.
What is Tǔ Fú Líng used for?
Syphilis; Damp-Heat sores and rashes; turbid urine; joint pain from Damp-Heat.
Practise Tǔ Fú Líng 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.