Chou Wu Tong

The Processing of Chou Wu Tong

Origin

The browse and leaves of Clerodendron trichotomum Thunb. of family Verbeneceae.

Location

Jiangsu, Anhui and Zhejiang provinces, etc.

Harvest

Collected before blossom in summer.

The actual smell and taste

Off-flavor in smell and bitter, astringent in taste.

Best quality

Dry flowering wood with green leaves, off-flavor and no impurities.

Processing

Dried in sunlight, cut into segments and unprocessed,

The Effect of Chou Wu Tong

Property

Pungent, bitter, slightly cold, liver meridians entered.

Actions

Dispel wind-damp, unblock collaterals, pacify liver.

Indications

A. Arthralgia syndrome due to Wind and dampness

Being pungent and bitter with the actions of dispersing and dryness, it can dispel wind-damp and unblock collaterals. For arthralgia syndrome due to wind and dampness manifested by numbness of four extremities no matter which pathogen is predominant such as cold or heat, it can be used singly or combined with other antirheumatics, for example, Xi Xian Cao, as in Xi Tong Wan from Ji Shi Yang Sheng Jing Yan ji (Experiential Collection of Life Aid and Health Preservation). It can unblock collaterals and is commonly indicated for hemiplegia due to windstroke.

B. Rubella, eczema

Its property of pungent can disperse wind, dryness can remove dampness and cold can clear heat. For rubella, pruritus and eczema caused by wind-heat and damp-heat, it can be used singly in ways of washing or topical compressing.
C.Syndrome of liver yang hyperactivity
Being cool in nature and entering liver meridian, it can cool and pacify liver. For liver yang hyperactivity, headache and dizziness, it can be used alone or combined with Xi Xian Cao, Gou Teng, Ju Hua, and Xia Ku Cao. It is commonly used in treating hypertension at present.

Dosage and Administrations

Decoct 5~15 g; or pound into powder, 3 g for each time. Proper dosage is for topical administration. It should be decocted for a short time when treating hypertension.

Notes for Chou Wu Tong

Naming

Chou Wu Tong (Folium et Ramulus Clerodendri Trichotomi)——Ben Cao Tu Jing (Illustrated Manual of Materia Medica)