Copyright © Dongcheng Li
Chapter 18 Emetic herbs
Dr. Li, Dongcheng
Office: 954-763-9840
E-mail: dcljdl@[Link]
Introduction
• Emetic herbs are herbs that induce vomiting. Usually administered in
tincture or as teas (infusions or decoctions).
• Most herbs are bitter and sour flavor.
• Emetic herbs induce vomiting and thus quickly empty the stomach of its
contents. This may be a necessary treatment if one is feeling sick from
eating too much food or a poor combination of foods. It is also
recommended for treating poisoning by noncaustic substances that will
not burn the esophagus when vomiting is induced.
• Some people tend to create excess mucus as a result of certain foods
they eat. The first line of treatment is to empty the stomach, where the
mucus originates. Similarly, emetics can be used to treat colds that have
resulted from overeating.
• Emesis greatly reduces the energy of the body and so should not be
used by persons who are already very weak. The emetic treatment may
be followed by a mild stimulating treatment, along with soothing,
demulcent herbs, to recover the energy. 2
1
Copyright © Dongcheng Li
• Emetic herbs
– 常山 Chang Shan Radix Dichroae
Febrifugae
– 瓜蒂 Gua Di Pedicellus Cucumeris
– 胆矾 Dan Fan Chalcanthitum
– 藜芦 Li Lu Radix et Rhizoma Veratri
Study Objective
• 1. Understand the general information on Emetic
herbs.
– a. Concept, common function and indication.
– b. Characters.
– c. Compatibility.
– d. Caution and contraindications
• 2. Get acquainted with the following individual
information on herbs in this category.
– a. Pinyin name, common English name and
pharmaceutical name.
– b. Characters.
– c. Functions and indications.
– d. Dosage and administration.
– e. Cautions and contraindication. 4
2
Copyright © Dongcheng Li
Chang Shan (常山)
(Radix Dichroae Febrifugae)
• English name: dichroa root
• Literal English translation: “constant mountain”
• Alternate name: 鸡骨常山(ji gu chang shan)
• Latin name: Dichroa febrifuga Lour.
• Pharmaceutical name: Radix Dichroae
Febrifugae
• Where grown: Sichuan, Guizhou, Hunan, Hubei
• When harvested: autumn
• Used part: root
• Flavor and properties: bitter, acrid, cold, toxic
• Channel entered: Heart, liver, lung 5
Chang Shan (常山)
(Radix Dichroae Febrifugae)
3
Copyright © Dongcheng Li
Chang Shan (常山)
(Radix Dichroae Febrifugae)
• Functions
– 1. Induce vomiting to expel phlegm.
– 2. Check malaria.
• Indications
– 1. For phlegm in the chest.
– 2. For malaria.
Chang Shan (常山)
(Radix Dichroae Febrifugae)
• Dosage and administration
– 5-10g for decoction.
– The emetic effect of the herb is due to
stimulation of the vagal afferents in the
gastrointestinal stimulation.
– Generally fried in wine to reduce its side
effects, except when used as an emetic.
– Sheng Jiang is also added to overcome its
nausea-inducing properties.
• Cautions and contraindications
– Chang Shan can cause nausea, vomiting, and8
diarrhea.
4
Copyright © Dongcheng Li
Chang Shan (常山)
(Radix Dichroae Febrifugae)
• Modern Study
– 1. Antimalarial effect: treat malaria
– 2. Anti-amebic effect
– 3. Effect on temperature regulation: antipyretic
effect
– 4. Pharmacokinetics: easily absorbed after
oral administration in rats. After intravenous
administration the active ingredients move into
the tissues very quickly, concentrating in the
kidneys, and also in the liver, heart, muscles,
adipose tissue, and spleen.
9
Gua Di (瓜蒂)
(Pedicellus Cucumeris)
• English name: melon pedicle
• Literal English translation: “melon stalk”
• Alternate name: 甜瓜蒂(tian gua di), 香瓜蒂(xiang gua di),
苦丁香(ku ding xiang)
• Latin name: Cucumis melo L.
• Pharmaceutical name: Pedicellus Cucumeris
• Where grown: throughout China, primarily in coastal
areas
• When harvested: summer (from plants that are not
completely ripe)
• Used part: pedicle
• Flavor and properties: bitter, cold, slightly toxic
10
• Channel entered: Stomach
5
Copyright © Dongcheng Li
Gua Di (瓜蒂)
(Pedicellus Cucumeris)
11
Gua Di (瓜蒂)
(Pedicellus Cucumeris)
• Functions
– 1. Induce vomiting.
– 2. Dispel damp-heat.
• Indications
– 1. For phlegm heat, retained food.
– 2. For jaundice.
12
6
Copyright © Dongcheng Li
Gua Di (瓜蒂)
(Pedicellus Cucumeris)
• Dosage and administration
– 2.5-5g in decoction;
– 0.3-1g in pills and powders.
• Cautions and contraindications
– 1. Contraindicated for patients who are debilitated or have
recently lost blood, or in the absence of excess above.
– 2. If the use of this herb leads to continuous vomiting, 0.1-0.15g of
She Xiang acts as an antidote.
– 3. Contraindicated for weak patients or for those with heart
diseases.
• Modern study
– 1. Emetic effect
– 2. Effect on the liver: protective effect on the liver
– 3. Effects on cellular immunity: increase the white blood cell count
with chronic persistent hepatitis. 13
Dan Fan (胆矾)
(Chalcanthitum)
• English name: Chalcanthite; Sulphate,
Copper
• Botanical name: Chalcanthitum
• Used part: Chalcanthite
• Flavor and properties: Sour, astringent,
acrid, toxic
• Channel entered: Liver, lung, stomach
14
7
Copyright © Dongcheng Li
Dan Fan (胆矾)
(Chalcanthitum)
15
Dan Fan (胆矾)
(Chalcanthitum)
• Functions
– 1. Induce vomiting.
– 2. Resolve toxicity and clear dampness.
• Indications
– 1. For epilepsy, seizures, ingestion of poisons.
– 2. For red eyes, mouth sore, swollen gum.
16
8
Copyright © Dongcheng Li
Dan Fan (胆矾)
(Chalcanthitum)
• Dosage and administration
– 0.3-0.6g taken in pill and powder form.
• Cautions and contraindications
– Contraindicated in cases of week patients.
17
Li Lu (藜芦)
(Radix et Rhizoma Veratri)
• English name: veratrum root and rhizome
• Alternate name: 山葱(shan cong)
• Botanical name: Veratrum nigrum L. V. maackii
Reg., V. schindleri Loes. F. V. grandiflorum
(Maxim.), or V. pubdrulum Loes. F. The first is most
commonly used.
• Pharmaceutical name: Radix et Rhizoma Veratri
• Where grown: throughout China, especially Hebei,
Henan, Liaoning, Shandong, Shanxi
• When harvested: early summer
• Used part: root and rhizome
• Flavor and properties: Cold, acrid, bitter, toxic
18
• Channel entered: Liver, lungs, stomach
9
Copyright © Dongcheng Li
Li Lu (藜芦)
(Radix et Rhizoma Veratri)
19
Li Lu (藜芦)
(Radix et Rhizoma Veratri)
• Functions
– 1. Induce vomiting.
– 2. Kill parasites & stop itching.
• Indications
– 1. For seizures, ingestion of poisons.
– 2. For scabies, lice, ringworm.
20
10
Copyright © Dongcheng Li
Li Lu (藜芦)
(Radix et Rhizoma Veratri)
• Dosage and administration
– 0.3-0.9g in pills or powders.
• Cautions and contraindications
– Contraindicated for the debilitated, those who have
recently lost blood, and during pregnancy.
– Contraindicated with Ren Shen, Dan Shen, Dang Shen,
Sha Shen, Ku Shen, Xi Xin, and Shao Yao.
• Modern study
– 1. Effects on the gastrointestinal system: strong
stimulatory effect on the gastric mucosa, which leads to
vomiting and diarrhea.
– 2. Effects on the cardiovascular system: reduce the
heart rate and lower blood pressure. 21
• Emetic herbs
– 常山 Chang Shan Radix Dichroae Febrifugae
– 瓜蒂 Gua Di Pedicellus Cucumeris
– 胆矾 Dan Fan Chalcanthitum
– 藜芦 Li Lu Radix et Rhizoma Veratri
22
11
Copyright © Dongcheng Li
Practice questions
• 1. Which of the following herb can NOT induce vomiting
– A. Chang Shan
– B. Gua Di
– C. Li Lu
– D. Sheng Jiang
• 2. Which of the following herb can not be used with Ren
Shen?
– A. Chang Shan
– B. Gua Di
– C. Li Lu
– D. Sheng Jiang
23
12