Psoralea Fruit (Bu Gu Zhi / Po Gu Zhi)

補骨脂／破固紙

Psoralea fruit (Buguzhi)

Pharmaceutical Name: Fructus Psoraleae

Botanical Name: Psoralea corylifolia L.

Common Name: Psoralea fruit

Source of Earliest Record: Yaoxing Lun

Part Used: The ripe fruit is gathered in autumn, and then it is dried in the sun.

Natural Properties & Taste: Bitter, pungent and very warm

Meridians: Kidney and spleen

Therapeutic Effects:
1. To tonify kidneys and strengthen yang.
2. To prevent emissions and nocturnal urination.
3. To warm the spleen and stop diarrhea

Indications:
1. Deficient kidneys manifested as impotence and soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees. Psoralea fruit (Buguzhi) is used with Dadder seed (Tusizi), Cistanche (Roucongrong) and Eucommia bark (Duzhong).

2. Nocturnal urination and emissions due to kidney deficiency. Psoralea fruit (Buguzhi) is used with Bitter cardamom (Yizhiren) and Dioscorea (Shanyao).

3. Diarrhea due to deficiency of yang of the spleen and kidneys. Psoralea fruit (Buguzhi) is used with Evodia fruit (Wuzhuyu), Nutmeg (Roudoukou) and Schisandra fruit (Wuweizi) in the formula Sishen Wan.

Dosage: 5-10 g

Cautions & Contraindications: This herb is contraindicated in cases with deficiency of yin with excessive fire as well as constipation.