Xù Duàn (续断), known in English as Teasel root (Dipsacus asper), is a warm, bitter and acrid Chinese herb from the Tonify yang category. It enters the Liver and Kidney channels. Its main action: tonifies Liver and Kidney, strengthens sinews and bones.
| Pinyin | Xù Duàn (Xu Duan) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 续断 |
| English | Teasel root |
| Botanical name | Dipsacus asper |
| Category | Tonify yang |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Bitter, Acrid |
| Channels | Liver, Kidney |
| Dosage | 9–15g |
| Cautions | Yin deficiency with Heat |
Actions
- Tonifies Liver and Kidney, strengthens sinews and bones
- Mends fractures and torn sinews
- Stops uterine bleeding, calms foetus
Indications
- Liver and Kidney deficiency with sore, weak back and knees
- Wind-Damp Bi
- Traumatic injury, fractures and torn sinews
- Uterine bleeding
- Bleeding during pregnancy and restless foetus
How to remember Xù Duàn
Tonify yang herbs are mostly warm or hot and sweet, and most enter the Kidney and Liver channels.
- You can work these out
- Warm: like most Tonify yang herbs
- Liver and Kidney channels: from its action “Tonifies Liver and Kidney”
- Learn by heart
- Bitter: unusual for Tonify yang herbs (most are sweet)
- Acrid: unusual for Tonify yang herbs (most are sweet)
Other Tonify yang herbs
- Dù Zhòng
- Lù Róng
- Xiān Máo
- Yín Yáng Huò
- Bǔ Gǔ Zhī
- Tù Sī Zǐ
- Bā Jǐ Tiān
- Suǒ Yáng
- Ròu Cōng Róng
- Dōng Chóng Xià Cǎo
- Hé Táo Rén
- Shā Yuàn Zǐ
- Yì Zhì Rén
- Lù Jiǎo Jiāo
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Xù Duàn?
Xù Duàn is warm and bitter and acrid.
Which channels does Xù Duàn enter?
Xù Duàn enters the Liver and Kidney channels.
What are the actions of Xù Duàn?
Tonifies Liver and Kidney, strengthens sinews and bones; Mends fractures and torn sinews; Stops uterine bleeding, calms foetus.
What is Xù Duàn used for?
Liver and Kidney deficiency with sore, weak back and knees; Wind-Damp Bi; traumatic injury, fractures and torn sinews; uterine bleeding; bleeding during pregnancy and restless foetus.
Practise Xù Duàn 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.