Wu Zhu Yu: A Versatile Traditional Chinese Medicinal Herb

Wu Zhu Yu, a cherished component of traditional Chinese medicine, possesses not only medicinal properties but also dietary and health-promoting benefits. Its efficacy spans anti-ulcer activity, stomach warming and spleen strengthening, anti-vomiting, anticoagulation, liver protection, hypertension prevention, and alleviation of abdominal distension and pain. Notably, it also aids in supporting yang and curbing diarrhea in males, underscoring its remarkable range of effects and functions.

1. Dispelling Cold and Relieving Pain

Wu Zhu Yu warms the middle and meridians, addressing headaches, abdominal pain, and menstrual cramps stemming from cold invasion. It particularly warms the liver meridians, making it effective against stomach and spleen coldness. For pain syndromes resulting from cold stagnation in the liver meridians, Wu Zhu Yu's pungent-bitter taste dispels cold and eliminates stagnation, essential for treating liver qi stagnation and cold-related pains.

2. Anti-Vomiting

For vomiting induced by stomach cold, Wu Zhu Yu warms the middle, dispels cold, descends adverse qi, and halts vomiting. It is often paired with ginseng and ginger for treating epigastric cold pain and vomiting with sour regurgitation due to middle burner deficiency cold. It also collaborates with pinellia and ginger to address vomiting caused by external cold invasion and stomach dysfunction. Combined with herbs like huanglian to clear stomach heat, it treats vomiting from stomach heat or liver depression transforming into fire.

3. Supporting Yang and Stopping Diarrhea

Wu Zhu Yu's bitter and drying nature dries dampness, addressing diarrhea and cold-induced diarrhea syndromes. It warms the spleen, tonifies the kidneys, supports yang, and halts diarrhea. Commonly used for spleen and kidney yang deficiency and morning diarrhea, it's often combined with tonifying herbs like buguzhi, nutmeg, and schisandra, as in Sishen Pill. For diarrhea from yang deficiency and cold, it excels in tonifying yang, dispelling cold, relieving pain, and drying dampness.

4. Soothing the Liver and Regulating Qi

Wu Zhu Yu's pungent, bitter, and warming nature targets the liver meridian, soothing liver qi, dispelling cold, and resolving depression. As noted in "Ben Cao Bian Du," its descending and dispersing nature effectively treats liver qi stagnation, cold, and turbid fluids in the lower abdomen, causing abdominal pain, hernia, and other ailments. It also addresses vomiting, acid regurgitation, and chest fullness resulting from pathogenic factors' descending and ascending movements.