The Efficacy, Functions, and Methods of Use of Lycium Bark
Sep 13, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. He Haochen
Introduction
Lycii Cortex (Di Gu Pi) is a remarkable herb—in fact, it is the root of the Chinese wolfberry (goji) plant. Di Gu Pi clears heat from the blood, cools the body, clears lung heat, and reduces fire-heat symptoms. It is used for tidal fever due to yin deficiency, night sweats, cough caused by lung heat, hemoptysis, and epistaxis. Other names: Red Ear Root, Mountain Goji Root. For external use: decoct an appropriate amount of Di Gu Pi, wash the affected area with the liquid, or grind it into a fine powder and apply topically, or prepare as a poultice for external application.
Lycii Cortex (Di Gu Pi) is a very common traditional Chinese herb, but some people are not familiar with it and therefore find it quite unfamiliar. What are the benefits, effects, and methods of using Di Gu Pi?
Benefits, Effects, and Methods of Using Lycii Cortex (Di Gu Pi)
Lycii Cortex (Di Gu Pi) is actually a rather remarkable herb—it comes from the root of the wolfberry (goji) plant. Di Gu Pi has properties that cool the blood and reduce internal heat, clear lung heat, and relieve fire toxicity. It is used for conditions such as fever due to yin deficiency, night sweats, pulmonary heat-induced cough, hemoptysis (coughing up blood), and epistaxis (nosebleeds). Other names include Qi Gen, Di Gu, Di Fu, Di Jie, Gou Qi Gen, Gou Qi Gen Pi, Shan Qi Zi Gen, Tian Ya Gen, Hong Er Gen, Shan Gou Qi Gen, Gou Nai Gen Pi, Shi Liu Gen Pi, and Gou Di Ya Cai.
Di Gu Pi cools the blood, clears internal heat, and reduces lung fire. It can be used externally, internally, or infused in alcohol. For external use, decoct an appropriate amount of Di Gu Pi and wash the affected area with the liquid, or grind it into a fine powder and apply topically as a poultice. For internal use, prepare a Di Gu Pi decoction. When making medicinal wine, Di Gu Pi is often combined with other herbs such as Acanthopanax bark (Wu Jia Pi),枳壳 (Zhi Ke), and Angelica Pubescens (Du Huo). Follow your doctor's instructions when taking this herb, and avoid raw, cold, greasy, spicy, or irritating foods. Avoid excessive use.
Di Gu Pi can also refresh the body and relieve summer heat, making it an excellent remedy for heatstroke during hot summer months. However, it should not be used in cases of exterior wind-cold invasion caused by spleen deficiency, accompanied by fever and loose stools. Therefore, specific usage should always be based on clinical diagnosis and guidance from a qualified physician. Do not misuse this herb. We hope this information is helpful to you. Wishing you good health and happiness.
