Niu Bang Zi (Fructus Arctii)

This product is a commonly used Chinese medicine and was listed as a Medium Quality product in the "Famous Medical Directory". The original name is Bad Fruit.

Aliases: cow seed, strong seed, sticky rat seed.

Source: Arctium lappa L. of ripe fruits. Cultivated or wild.

Plant Status: Biennial herb. It is 1~1.5m tall and multi-branched at the top. The root leaves are clustered, the stems and leaves are alternate, the leaves are large with long stalks, the leaves are broadly ovate or heart-shaped, 40~50cm long and 30~40cm wide. The leaves on the upper part of the stem become progressively smaller, blunt and rounded with a small tip, with wavy or toothed edges, a smooth green surface, and a dense gray-white short villi on the back. The head-like inflorescences grow in clusters of branches, forming an umbrella-like room. The total bracts are spherical, the bracts are linear, and the apex is extended into a hook-like needle, which spreads out in all directions to become a round ball with a barbed hook. Sub-chamber, one chamber. The lean fruit is slightly curved and oblong, gray-green.

Origin: all over the country, in northeast production is largest, ones produced in Zhejiang Tongxiang is called "Du Da Li", and known to be of good quality.

Character identification: lean fruit inverted ovate, gray-brown skin, several slightly protruding longitudinal edges, purple-black spots on the surface. There is a fossa at the lower end that is a fruit stalk mark. The outer skin is hard, easy to open, and two cotyledons can be seen after breaking, rich in oil. Slightly bitter taste. It is best to have large and plump grains and gray-brown color.

Main ingredients: containing Niu Bang Zi glycosides, and containing fatty oil 20~30%.

Pharmacological effects: (1) diuretic and antipyretic; (2) antibacterial: the decoction of this product has a significant antibacterial effect on pneumococcus.

Preparation: stir-fry.

Taste: spicy, bitter, cold.

Attribution: into the lungs and stomach meridians.

Function: disperse wind heat, diffuse energy of lungs, release rash.

Used to Treat: wind fever, cough, sore throat, non-penetrating macules, carbuncle sores.

Clinical application: This product has the effect of dispersing wind heat and detoxification, especially suitable for the following two situations:

（1）  Wind and heat and sore throat (such as pharyngitis, upper respiratory tract), often used with Jing Jie, Bo He, Jie Geng, Gan Cao, etc., has a good therapeutic effect, such as Niu Bang Tang.

（2）  Wind heat and constipation, that is, both manifestation of external and internal symptoms (such as mumps and dry stool), with Niu Bang Zi it provides a double solution, quite appropriate, because Niu Bang Zi in addition to releasing the external, is also rich in oil, so after taking it, it can act similarly to a laxative, that is, the so-called "slippery intestine" effective.

   In addition, it can also be used to release sores to get through the rash.

Precautions for use: Where diarrhea, acne deficiency, weak qi and blood, Niu Bang Zis are avoided; even if the wind temperature indicates that it needs to release external and lower temperature, if there is a diarrhea (stool is not formed, there is a lot of water, and the frequency of bowel movements is more), do not use. It is more appropriate to use Bo He and Chan Tui instead.

Dosage: 4.5~9g.

Prescription example: Niu Bang Tang (from "Criterion for Treatment" / “Zheng Zhi Zhun Sheng”): Niu Bang Zi 6g, Jing Jie 6g, Bo He 3g, (entered at the end) Fang Feng 6g, Da Huang 3g, Gan Cao 3g, water decoction. Treat colds with sore throat.

Note: The leaves of this product, the medicinal herb is called doctor's leaf, which has the effect of dispersing wind and relieving itching, anti-inflammatory and detoxification.

Case Study: Kidney Yang Collapse and Stomach Stroke

Patient: Erica, female, age 37

Date of first appointment: May 20, 2020

Chief complaints: Extreme weakness, unable to eat or drink, dizziness, cold stomach, acid reflux

TCM syndrome differentiation: deficiency of spleen and kidney yang

TCM treatment: warming the spleen and stomach, invigorating kidney yang.

TCM prescription: Wu Zhu Tu Tang + Zhen Wu Tang + Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang.

Note: When Dr. Wu first started to treat the patient, she was already unable to eat for six weeks. She even had trouble swallowing water. The patient was depending on IV and oxygen to maintain life. The world-class hospital in Thailand was not able to help her, so she asked Dr. Wu to have a remote consultation. Since she could not eat or drink, Dr. Wu prescribed a herbal mixture for external use (stick in the belly button and the Yongquan point (K1), combined with gentle moxibustion along GV and CV. After 24 hours, the patient can drink water and Chinese medicine. She was able to eat porridge and was discharged from the hospital after two weeks.

The patient still had difficulty breathing when being discharged from the Thai International Hospital. Her breathing function was at level 3. 

The patient continued to take Chinese medicine for 5 months (Zhen Wu Tang, Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, Wen Dan Tang, and Xiao Yao San, etc.) to tonify the spleen and stomach, disperse stagnated liver qi for relieving qi stagnation, to remove phlegm and improve gallbladder functions. Along with acupuncture treatments, the patient’s breathing function has improved from level 3 to 7. 

On 10/26/2020, the patient had skin rashes all over her body, the itching was unbearable. The Thailand dermatologist diagnosed that she had psoriasis and recommended oral prednisone. Because of the patient’s past negative experience with steroids, she was unwilling to use it again. Dr. Wu held a consultation with Dr. Zhang Ni. Their TCM diagnose is: cold and dampness blocking the middle burner, and stagnation of liver and qi. Dr. Zhang Ni prescribed a decoction to strengthen the spleen, dissolve dampness, and sooth the liver and regulate qi. The patient took the decoction for two weeks, both orally and as a washing liquid. The rash completely disappeared, and her breathing function also improved from level 7 to 9.

Disclaimer: All above articles are for reference only. If patients are interested, please consult a professional practitioner Traditional Chinese Medicine for a consultation.