Cang Er Zi
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Cang Er Zi in TCM:

Explore the properties of Cang Er Zi according to Chinese
Nutrition and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM):


Factoids:
English Name: xanthium fruit, Siberian cocklebur fruit
Pharmacuetical Name: Fructus Xanthii
Properties: toxic, bitter, acrid, warm


Temperature: warm

Channels: LU

Flavors: toxic, bitter, pungent

Special Properties:
disperses cold, clears damp, disperses wind


Actions / Indications:
  • Releases exterior wind cold; opens nasal passages (nasal congestion, viscous discharge; exterior wind-cold, aversion to cold, headaches)
  • Disperses wind damp (wind-damp bi syndrome)
  • Relieves skin itching (skin disorder with itching)

    Special Notes:
  • Often paired with xin yi hua to open nasal passages
  • Cang Er Zi has been shown to have anti-diabetic properties, and to lower blood glucose levels. Accordingly it should be used with caution in patients taking insulin, sulfonylureas, and other diabetic medications because it may have a synergistic effect.

Contraindications:
  • (cc: blood deficient headache)
  • (cc: overdose 100g may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and/or abdominal pain)