Wū Yào (乌药), known in English as Lindera root (Lindera aggregata), is a warm, acrid Chinese herb from the Regulate qi category. It enters the Lung, Spleen, Kidney and Bladder channels. Its main action: moves qi, relieves pain.
| Pinyin | Wū Yào (Wu Yao) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 乌药 |
| English | Lindera root |
| Botanical name | Lindera aggregata |
| Category | Regulate qi |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Acrid |
| Channels | Lung, Spleen, Kidney, Bladder |
| Dosage | 6–10g |
| Cautions | Qi and Blood deficiency with Heat |
Actions
- Moves qi, relieves pain
- Warms Kidney, disperses Cold
Indications
- Qi stagnation from congealed Cold with chest and abdominal distension and pain
- Rebellious qi with wheezing
- Bladder deficiency Cold with enuresis and frequent urination
- Cold shan (hernial) pain
- Menstrual pain from Cold
How to remember Wū Yào
Regulate qi herbs are mostly warm or hot, acrid and bitter, and most enter the Spleen and Stomach channels.
- You can work these out
- Warm, Acrid, Spleen channel: like most Regulate qi herbs
- Kidney channel: from its action “Warms Kidney”
- Bladder channel: from its use for “Bladder deficiency Cold with enuresis and frequent urination”
- Learn by heart
- Lung channel: nothing in its group or its actions points to it
Formulas containing Wū Yào
Other Regulate qi herbs
- Chén Pí
- Zhǐ Shí
- Mù Xiāng
- Xiāng Fù
- Chén Xiāng
- Qīng Pí
- Fó Shǒu
- Chuān Liàn Zǐ
- Lì Zhī Hé
- Dà Fù Pí
- Zhǐ Ké
- Jú Hóng
- Xiè Bái
- Tán Xiāng
- Méi Guī Huā
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Wū Yào?
Wū Yào is warm and acrid.
Which channels does Wū Yào enter?
Wū Yào enters the Lung, Spleen, Kidney and Bladder channels.
What are the actions of Wū Yào?
Moves qi, relieves pain; Warms Kidney, disperses Cold.
What is Wū Yào used for?
Qi stagnation from congealed Cold with chest and abdominal distension and pain; rebellious qi with wheezing; Bladder deficiency Cold with enuresis and frequent urination; Cold shan (hernial) pain; menstrual pain from Cold.
Which formulas contain Wū Yào?
Gé Xià Zhú Yū Tāng, Nuǎn Gān Jiān, Suō Quán Wán and Tù Sī Wán.
Practise Wū Yào 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.