The source is from the bulb of Allium maerostemon Bunge, family Liliaceae. The medicinal material is produced in all parts of China, collected in both summer and autumn, dried in the sun and the crude form can be used. Medicinal Properties Pungent and bitter in flavor, warm in nature and attributive to the lung, stomach and large intestine meridians. Actions Activate yang and disperse lumps, promote qi circulation and relieve the stagnation. Application 1. It is used to treat turbid phlegm and thoracic fullness due to deficiency of thoracic yang. It is characterized by its dispersing, descending and warming actions and can be used to disperse accumulation of cold and activate dispersing function of yang in the chest. Therefore, it is used every time together with Gualou (Fructus Trichosanthis) that resolves phlegm and disperses accumulation and regulate flow of qi, such as Gualou Xiebai Baijiu Tang (Decoction) and Gualou Xiebai Banxia Tang (Decoction) for the above syndrome with blood stasis marked by stabbing pain in the epigastrium, Danshen (Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae), Honghua ( Flos Carthami ), and Chishaoyao (Radix Paeoniae Rubra ), etc., are added to the combinations. 2. For qi stagnation in the stomach and intestine manifested as dysentery with tenesmus, it is used in combination with Muxiang (Radix Aucklandiae), Baishaoyao (Radix Paeoniae Alba ) , and Zhishi (Fructus Aurantii Immaturus), etc.; for dysentery due to dampness and heat, with Huangbai ( Cortex Phellodendri ) and Qinpi (Cortex Fraxini). Usage and Dosage 5 - 10 g is used in decoction for oral use. Notes The herb is not suitable for the cases with deficiency of qi but no stagnation, weakness of the stomach with loss of appetite and being unable to bear the smell of garlics.
