Properties: Bitter, cold, toxic

Meridans Entered:
Primary: Liver and Spleen

1. Dries Dampness, expels Parasites, resolves swelling and alleviates pain
   Episodic abdominal pain caused by parasites, bloody dysentery, haemorhoids
   Malnutritional emaciation and dysentery in children (used as enema)
   Externally for ulcers of the external genitalia in women, chancre and fistula in children, leprosy sores
   With She Xiang (Musk) for gingival atrophy, gingivitis, and dental caries
2. Improves eyesight
   Nebula, eye swelling and pain

Suggested Daily Dosage: Pounded into powder and melted in wine or water for oral consumption, or pounded and applied externally or inhaled through the nose.

• Bile Acids
  Steroid acids and salts that are conjugated with taurine of glycine to become bile salts that play an important role in the digestion and absorption of fat.
• Taurine
  An amino sulfonic acid derived from methionine and cysteine metabolism abundant in many animal and fish organs and a major constituent of bile. It has many biological roles, including conjugation of bile acids, antioxidation, osmoregulation, membrane stabilisation, and modulation of calcium signalling. It is essential for cardiovascular function, and development and function of skeletal muscle, the retina, and the central nervous system. It is used as an oral supplement in the treatment of disorders such as cystic fibrosis and hypertension and widely used in energy drinks, cosmetics and nutritional supplements.

Notes:

For further information about bile in TCM see Wang & Carey (2014)