Niu Bang Zi (Fructus Arctii) is from the fruit of Arctum lappa L., family Compositae. It is mainly produced in Heibei and Zhejiang, but also in other areas of China. The medicinal material is collected in autumn and sun dried. It is used in its crude form or after stir-baking.

Category: Exterior Releasing – Heat Clearing.

Common Name: Great Burdock Fruit; Arctium.

Channels Entered: Lung and Stomach.

Properties and Functions: Niu Bang Zi is pungent and bitter in flavour and cold in nature. It expels Wind-Heat, benefits the throat, resolves toxicity, vents rashes and moistens the intestines.

Indications: It is used clinically for:

• Exterior Wind-Heat syndrome presenting with coughing and a sore, swollen throat.
• Unsmooth or incomplete eruption of measles.
• Carbuncles, mumps, pyogenic skin infections all due to exterior Wind-Heat syndrome.
• Constipation due to interior Heat.

Dosage: 6 – 12g

Cautions and Contra-Indications: It is contra-indicated in patients with diarrhoea due to Qi deficiency and in cases with an absence of excess Heat.