Du Zhong

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Pinyin Name: Du Zhong

English Name: Cortex Eucommiae Ulmoidis

Other Names: Eucommia Bark, Yu Xi Pi, Si Zhong

Tastes: Sweet, Slightly Acrid

Origin: Guizhou, Sichuan and Shaanxi provinces in China

Benefits of Du Zhong:

Du Zhong is the bark of the Eucommia tree. It is usually harvested from April to June. After the peeling, it needs to scrape off the dirt, stack them together, sweat them till their endothelium become purple-brown, and then dry them in the sun.

Du Zhong covers two meridians of liver and kidney. Main functions are nourishing liver and kidney, strengthening the bones and muscles, miscarriage prevention. Common uses include lumbago due to kidney-asthenia, urinary frequency, urinary endless, bleeding during pregnancy, pain in rheumatoid arthritis, fetal irritability, recurrent abortion, high blood pressure. Recommended dosage is from 6 to 9 grams.

Du Zhong is widely used in Chinese herbal formulas. 1) Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang is formulated for lumbago, cold, and somatic heaviness due to wind-damp. Its ingredient herbs include Du Zhong, Du Huo, Sang Ji Sheng, Huai Niu Xi, Chuan Xiong, Dang Gui and more. 2) Du Zhong San is designed for unbearable low back pain. Its ingredient herbs include Du Zhong, Dan Shen, Chuan Xiong, Xi Xin and more. 3) Qing E Wan is used for low back pain due to kidney deficiency or feeble feet and knee. Its ingredient herbs include Du Zhong, Hu Tao Ren, Bu Gu Zhi and more.

Common herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine

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