Tu Jing Pi

Naming

Tu Jing Pi (Cortex Pseudolaricis)——Ben Cao Gang Mu Shi Yi (A Supplement to the Compendium of Materia Medica)

The Processing of Tu Jing Pi

Origin

The root bark or peri-root bark of Pseudolarix kaempfri Gold. of family Pinaceae.

Location

Mainly in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui provinces of China.

Harvest

Exploited before or after summer solstice.

The actual smell and taste

Light smell, bitter and astringent taste.

Best quality

Large in size, yellowish brown in color, with cellulose and without cortex.

Processing

Unprocessed.

The Effect of Tu Jing Pi

Property

Pungent, warm; toxic; lung and spleen meridians entered.

Actions

Kill parasites and relieve itching.

Indications

Ringworm

It is toxic, so it can only be indicated externally. It is good at killing parasites, curing ringworm, expelling dampness and relieve itching, while the main action focuses on treating ringworm. It can be either singly used in wine or ground into powder to mix with vinegar for external application, or combined with ortho-oxybenzoic acid and benzoic acid to make into tincture for external application. For eczema and itching of skin, it can be used singly in wine for external application, or combined with dampness-astringing and itching-relieving herbs. For instance, it is combined with Ku Shen, Bai Fan and She Chuang Zi, etc. to be made into powder to mix with wine for external application.

Dosage and Administrations

Take proper dose for external application. Soaked in vinegar or wine or ground into powder for external application.

Cautions

It should be used externally only, not for internal use.