Although white burr is very rare in daily life, it is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. It not only has the effect of dispelling wind and relieving itching, but also can promote blood circulation and regulate liver function. It works even better when combined with other Chinese herbs. Let's learn about the efficacy and functions of white burr!
【Efficacy and Functions of White Burr】
1. Dispelling wind and regulating liver function
Used for liver yang hyperactivity, symptoms include headache, dizziness, irritability, restless sleep. It can be used together with mulberry leaves, chrysanthemum flowers, vitex seeds, and hook vine. It is also used for liver and kidney yin deficiency, symptoms include dizziness, tinnitus, headache, irritability. It can be used together with chrysanthemum flowers, cassia seeds, and summer cypress.
Used for liver heat eye diseases, symptoms include red eyes, excessive tears, redness and pain in the white of the eye, sensitivity to light. It can be used together with mulberry leaves, chrysanthemum flowers, blue water lily seeds, forsythia, and licorice. It can also be used for discomfort in the chest and sides, and blocked milk ducts caused by liver qi stagnation. It can be used together with orange peel, orange leaves, and turmeric.
2. Promoting qi circulation and blood circulation
Used for lower abdominal distension and pain. It can be used together with wuyao, peony, chuanlianzi, and xiangfu.
3. Dispelling wind and relieving itching
Used for pruritus caused by wind rash. It can also be used for vitiligo, by taking 6 grams of powdered white burr each time.
【Processing Methods of White Burr】
1. Raw White Burr
Remove impurities from the raw herb.
2. Fried White Burr
Put clean white burr in a pan and fry it with low heat until it turns slightly yellow. Then, place 1-2 copper coins on the grinding stone and grind the white burr to remove the hard thorns. Finally, sieve out the thorn debris and remove stem impurities.
3. Salted White Burr
Take the thorn-free white burr and mix it with salt water (for every 100kg of white burr, use 3kg of salt and dissolve it in an appropriate amount of boiling water). Let it soak and then fry it with low heat until it turns slightly yellow. Finally, dry it.
After frying, the properties of white burr become milder. It can regulate the liver and tonify the kidneys, and the thorns and stems can be easily removed and crushed.
【Compatibility and Applications of White Burr】
1. Compatibility with He Shou Wu
He Shou Wu nourishes the liver and kidneys, and replenishes essence and blood. White burr clears liver heat, calms liver, relieves wind, and brightens the eyes, as well as promotes blood circulation and dispels stasis. When these two herbs are combined, they can nourish and tonify, dispel wind evil, nourish the liver and kidneys, and treat headache, dizziness, premature graying of hair, etc.
2. Compatibility with Chrysanthemum Flowers
Both herbs can calm the liver and brighten the eyes. White burr tends to disperse liver stagnation, while chrysanthemum flowers tend to clear liver heat. When these two herbs are used together, one is strong and the other is gentle, one clears and the other disperses, complementing each other's effects. The combination is most effective in calming the liver and brightening the eyes, and can be used to treat dizziness, dispel wind-heat, and effectively treat headaches caused by liver stagnation transforming into heat.
3. Compatibility with Poria
Poria promotes water metabolism, eliminates dampness, and strengthens the spleen. It has a comprehensive effect on liver and spleen dampness obstruction. White burr can regulate and relax the liver. When these two herbs are combined, one penetrates and the other disperses, promoting water metabolism, regulating the liver, eliminating dampness, and relieving dizziness caused by dampness. The balanced liver qi will not invade the stomach, preventing stomachaches.
