Rhaponticum (Lou Lu)

漏蘆

Globethistle (Loulu)

Pharmaceutical Name: Radix Rhapontici seu Echinopsis

Botanical Name: 1. Rhaponticum uniflorum (L.) DC.. 2. Echinops latifolius Tausch.

Common Name: Globethistle

Source of Earliest Records: Shennong Bencao Jing

Part Used: The roots are dug in autumn. After the fibrous roots have been removed, the roots are cleaned, dried in the sun and cut into slices.

Natural Properties & Taste: Bitter and cold

Meridians: Stomach

Therapeutic Effects:
1. To clear heat and release toxins.
2. To reduce swelling.

3. To promote lactation.

Indications:
1. Boils, carbuncles and swelling or swelling and pain in the breast area. Globethistle (Loulu) is used with Dandelion herb (Pugongying), Trichosanthes fruit (Gualou) and Forsythia fruit (Lianqiao).

2. Postpartum galactostasis with distension in the breasts. Globethistle (Loulu) is used with Vaccaria seed (Wangbuliuxing), Pangolin scales (Chuanshanjia) and Rice-paper pith (Tongcao).

Dosage: 3-12 g