Wǔ Jiā Pí (五加皮), known in English as Slender acanthopanax bark (Acanthopanax gracilistylus), is a warm, acrid 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.
| Pinyin | Wǔ Jiā Pí (Wu Jia Pi) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 五加皮 |
| English | Slender acanthopanax bark |
| Botanical name | Acanthopanax gracilistylus |
| Category | Expel wind-damp |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Acrid, Bitter |
| Channels | Liver, Kidney |
| Dosage | 4.5–9g |
| Cautions | Yin deficiency with Heat; no Wind-Damp pattern |
Actions
- Expels Wind-Damp, tonifies Liver and Kidney
- Strengthens sinews and bones
- Promotes urination, reduces oedema
Indications
- Wind-Damp Bi with Liver/Kidney deficiency
- Weak bones and sinews
- Developmental delay in children
- Oedema
How to remember Wǔ Jiā Pí
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
- Warm: Expel wind-damp herbs vary in nature
- Acrid: unusual for Expel wind-damp herbs (most are bitter)
Other Expel wind-damp herbs
- Dú Huó
- Qiāng Huó
- Wēi Líng Xiān
- Fáng Jǐ
- Mù Guā
- Sāng Jì Shēng
- 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 Wǔ Jiā Pí?
Wǔ Jiā Pí is warm and acrid and bitter.
Which channels does Wǔ Jiā Pí enter?
Wǔ Jiā Pí enters the Liver and Kidney channels.
What are the actions of Wǔ Jiā Pí?
Expels Wind-Damp, tonifies Liver and Kidney; Strengthens sinews and bones; Promotes urination, reduces oedema.
What is Wǔ Jiā Pí used for?
Wind-Damp Bi with Liver/Kidney deficiency; weak bones and sinews; developmental delay in children; oedema.
Practise Wǔ Jiā Pí 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.