Curcuma Root (Yujin)

Curcuma Root (Yujin)

Pharmaceutical Name: Radix Curcumae
Botanical Name: Curcuma longa L
C. aromatica salisb.
Curcuma zedoaria Rosc.
Curcuma kwangsiensis S. Lee et C. F. Liang
Common Name:Curcuma root, Aromatic Turmeric tuber, Zedoary Turmeric tuber
Source of Earliest Record: Xinxiu Bencao
art Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The tuberous roots are dug in autumn or winter. After removing the fibrous roots, the roots are cleaned, boiled, dried in the sun and cut into slices.
Properties and Taste: Pungent, bitter and cold
Meridian: Heart, liver and gall bladder
Functions: To invigorate blood and stop pain
To promote qi circulation and release stagnation
To cool blood and clear heat in the heart
To relieve jaundice and facilitate gall bladder function
Indications and Combinations: 1.     Activates Qi and blood circulation, relieves pain:

Hypochondriac pain, irregular menstruation, masses caused by blood stagnation: Yu Jin (Radix Curcumae) is most effective for treating pain due to Qi and Blood stagnation. It resolves Liver Qi stagnation and regulates Qi in the blood level. Hypochondriac pain is the chief manifestation of Liver Qi stagnation. The Liver stores blood, therefore, irregular menstruation denotes stangation in the Liver and irregularity of the ren (conception) and chong (thoroughfare) channels. Accompanying symptoms may include bloating and dysmenorrhea during menstruation. Masses due to blood stagnation can appear anywhere in the abdomen. Yu Jin is best for masses in the hypochondriac region. it treats disroders such as liver cirrhosis, or enlargement of the liver or spleen. 

~ Hypochondriac pain due to Liver Qistagnation: use Yu Jin with Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri), Xiang Fu (Rhizoma cyperi), Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba), and Dan Shen (Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae). 

~ Irregular menstruation with pain and cramps caused by stagnation of Qi and blood and disharmony of chong (thoroughfare) and ren (conception) channels: use this herb with Dang Gui (Radicis Angelicae Sinensis), Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) and Xiang Fu (Rhizoma Cyperi).

~ Pian due to masses in the hypochondriac area: combine Yu Jin with Bie Jia (Carapax Trionycis), Dan Shen (Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae) and Ze Lan (Herba Lycopi).

~ Pain in the chest, abdominal or hypochondriac regions: Use with Red sage root (Danshen), Cyperus tuber (Xiangfu), Bupleurum root (Chaihu) and Bitter orange (Zhiqiao).

2. Clears heat and Cools Blood:
Bleeding: Yu Jin treats various bleeding disorders caused by heat in the blood. clinical aplications include hematemesis, epistaxis, hematuria, and epistaxis during menstruation. 

~ Bleeding due to heat in the blood: combine Yu Jin with Sheng Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae), Mu Dan Pi (Cortex Moutan), Zhi Zi (Fructus Gardeniae) and Niu xi (Radix Cyathulae seu Achryantis).

3. Clears the Heart, Opens Orifices and Promotes Consciousness
Disorientation, epilepsy, mania and other disorders with disturbed shen (spirit): Yu Jin strongly clears heat from the Heart and mildly promotes consciousness. It is commonly used to treat cases of heat, dampness and phlegm covering the Heart leading to anxiety, irritability, disorientation, seizures, convulsions, and in severe cases, epilepsy, mania, and semi-consciousness or unconsciousness. 

~ Psychological disorders with feelings of oppression in the chest due to accumulation of dampness: use Yu Jin with hi Chang Pu (Rhizoma Acori), Zhu Li (Succus Bambusae), Huang Lian (Rhizoma Coptidis), Tian Zhu Huang (Concretio Silicea Bambusae), Niu Huang (Calculus Bovis), and Zhi Zi (Fructus Gardeniae). 

~ Mania and delirium due to phlegm covering the Heart: use this herb with Ming Fan (Alumen). 

~ Schizophrenia and other psychological disorders with insomnia and alternating spells of laughter and anger: use Yu Jin with Xiang Fu (Rhizoma Cyperi), Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba), Dai Zhe Shi (Maematitum), Zhen Zhu Mu (Concha Margaritaferae), Tian Zhu Huang (Concretio Silicea Bambusae), Dan Nan Xing (Arisaema cum Bile), Yuan Zhi (Radix Polygalae), Shi Chang Pu (Rhizoma Acori), Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae), Fu Ling (Poria), Huang Lian (Rhizoma Coptidis), Sheng Tie Luo (Frusta Ferri) and Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei). 

4. Treats Jaundice: Yu Jin clears damp-heat from the Gallbladder to treat jaundice. 

~ Damp-heat jaundice: combine Yu Jin with Yin Chen Hao (Herba Artemisiae Scopariae), Zhi Zi (Fructus Gardeniae), and Zhi ke (Fructus Aurantii). 

~ Gallstones: use Yu Jin with Hai Jin Sha (Herba Lygodii), Yin Chen Hao (Herba Artemisiae Scopariae), Ji Nei Jin (Endothelium Corneum Gigeriae Galli).
Dosage: 6-12 grams in decoction.
Cautions: This herb should not be combined with Ding Xiang (Flos Caryophylli, Cloves). Use with caution during pregnancy. Yu Jin is contraindicated in patients without Qi and Blood stagnation, or those with underlying Yin deficiency and bleeding.