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What are the functions and effects of Smilax glabra (Tu Fuling)?

Feb 19, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
Smilax glabra Roxb. is a commonly used traditional Chinese herb, generally known for its effects and functions such as clearing heat and detoxifying, resolving dampness and promoting urination, regulating the spleen and stomach, relieving inflammation and pain, as well as calming the mind and benefiting the heart. Smilax glabra Roxb. is cool in nature and can clear heat toxins from the body, making it effective for treating febrile diseases, abscesses and swellings caused by heat toxicity, and damp-heat jaundice. It achieves the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying by promoting the elimination of toxins from the body.

Smilax glabra rhizome (Tie Ling) is a commonly used traditional Chinese herb, generally known for its effects and benefits such as clearing heat and detoxifying the body, promoting diuresis and relieving dysuria, regulating the spleen and stomach, reducing inflammation and relieving pain, and calming the mind to benefit the heart. If experiencing any discomfort, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Clearing Heat and Detoxification: Smilax glabra rhizome can remove heat toxins from the body and is effective in treating conditions such as abscesses and ulcers caused by accumulated heat toxicity, as well as limb spasms and joint pain caused by mercury poisoning. It helps clear heat and detoxify the body, improving overall health.

2. Promoting Diuresis and Relieving Dysuria: Smilax glabra rhizome promotes urination, helping the body eliminate excess water and dampness. It can improve conditions such as damp-heat induced dysuria, leukorrhea, beriberi, eczema, and other damp-related disorders. Patients suffering from urinary tract infections with symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, and painful urination (damp-heat dysuria syndrome) may benefit from treatment with Smilax glabra rhizome.

3. Promoting Joint Mobility: Smilax glabra rhizome helps unblock the meridians and alleviate joint stiffness and pain, especially for joint disorders caused by damp-heat blocking the meridians. It is commonly used clinically in treating rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic arthritis, and similar conditions.

4. Anti-inflammatory and Antibacterial Effects: Smilax glabra rhizome has certain anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It can inhibit various bacteria and viruses, helping to reduce inflammatory responses in the body and providing some control over inflammation-related diseases as an adjunctive treatment.

5. Lowering Uric Acid: Smilax glabra rhizome promotes the excretion of uric acid, helping to reduce blood uric acid levels. It plays a preventive and therapeutic role in hyperuricemia and gout and is often used in combination with other uric acid-lowering medications to help alleviate symptoms.

It is recommended to use Smilax glabra rhizome under the guidance of a physician. It should not be taken arbitrarily. Maintain a light diet and avoid consuming spicy or irritating foods.

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