Wū Yào · Lindera Root
Wū Yào (乌药, Lindera Root) is a herb of Warm nature and Pungent flavor, in the “Qi-regulating herbs” category. Tradition uses it to regulate Qi and relieve cold pain, Warm the Kidney and disperse the cold, Mover el Qi y calentar el Jiao Medio e Inferior.
Energetic profile
- Pinyin name
- Wū Yào
- Characters
- 乌药
- Botanical name
- Lindera aggregata (Sims) Kosterm.
- Family
- Lauraceae
- Part used
- Root
- Nature
- Warm
- Flavor
- Pungent
- Meridians
- Lung, Spleen, Kidney, Bladder
- Category
- Qi-regulating herbs
- Toxicity
- Non-toxic
- Pregnancy
- Caution
- Origin
- China, Japan
Actions according to tradition
- Regulate Qi and relieve cold pain
- Warm the Kidney and disperse the cold
- Mover el Qi y calentar el Jiao Medio e Inferior
Traditional uses
- Hernial and lower abdominal pain due to cold in the Liver canal
- Frequent urination and enuresis due to Kidney Yang deficiency
- Dysmenorrhea and menstrual distension due to cold and stagnation
- Abdominal pain due to cold with flatulence
- Nausea and vomiting due to inversion of Stomach Qi due to cold
Studied effects and current applications
- Moves stagnant Qi and disperses cold, relieving abdominal and lower pain
- Warms the Kidney to treat frequent urination and enuresis
- Relieves hernia pain and menstrual pain due to cold-stagnation
- Gentle and broad spectrum: covers both the Middle and Lower Jiao
- Antispasmodic
Applications under investigation
- Overactive bladder syndrome
- Dismenorrea primaria
- Inguinal hernia with pain
- Irritable bowel syndrome with cold pattern
- Low back pain due to Kidney Yang deficiency
An effect being investigated does not mean it has been proven in humans.
Contraindications and adverse effects
Absolute contraindications
- Internal heat without cold or stagnation
- Yin deficiency with internal heat
Relative contraindications
- Pregnancy (strong heating action)
- Sequedad interna
- Pregnancy
- Use with caution in pregnancy. Strong heating action.
- Breastfeeding
- Use with caution. Limited data.
- Children
- Use with caution and reduced dosage in children.
- Older adults
- Useful for elderly people with frequent urination and abdominal pain due to cold.
Possible adverse effects
- Dryness in prolonged use
- Occasional gastric irritation
When to stop
- Internal heat worsens
- Yin deficiency appears
Interactions with medications
| Group | Drugs | Severity | Effect and recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anticholinergics/overactive bladder | Oxibutinina, Tolterodina | Mild | Synergistic effects on the bladder muscles Monitor urinary symptoms. |
With other herbs
- xiang_fu Classic combination to regulate Lower Jiao Qi and treat hernia pain
Reference dose
- Decoction
- 3-9 g daily
- Powder
- 1-3 g daily
- Acute use
- 1-2 weeks
- Chronic use
- 2-4 weeks
- Maximum
- short use; avoid prolonged use that depletes Yin
- Children
- Use with caution in children. Reduce dose.
Forms of preparation
Boil 3-9g in 3 cups of water for 30 min. Drink warm.
Abdominal pain due to cold, frequent urination
Macerate 30g in rice wine for 2 weeks. Take 1 teaspoon twice a day.
Chronic hernia pain
Approximate doses from the literature; they are not a prescription. Consult a professional.
Active compounds
Essential oils (linalool, isobornyl acetate) and aporphynic alkaloids
Monoterpenes · Qi regulator, analgesic, antispasmodic
GABA-A modulation, calcium channel blockade · 30-60% of essential oil
Sesquiterpene esters · Pain reliever, anti-inflammatory
COX-2 inhibition, opioid receptor modulation · 0.5-2.0%
Isoquinoline alkaloids · Pain reliever, mild sedative
GABA and opioid receptor modulation · 0.1-0.5%
Phenolic acids · Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory
Free radical scavenging, NF-κB inhibition · 0.05-0.2%
Harvesting and processing
- Harvest
- Fall (October-November), 3+ year old roots
Lindera aggregata roots harvested in autumn. They are cleaned, cut into slices and dried. Root root (乌药) is distinguished from wood.
Root cut into diagonal slices and dried.
Health notice. Educational and study content. It describes concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. Needling, medicinal herbs and invasive techniques must be applied by trained professionals. Safety guide.
