Witnessed by: TCM
Lindera (Lindera aggregata), of the Lauraceae family. Evergreen shrub or small tree of warm hill forest; native range: southern and central China, extending to Taiwan and Japan. Globally recognized as wu yao (烏藥) in Chinese, and spicebush root, evergreen lindera in English. The part used is tuberous root. Hard fusiform root, pale within, strongly aromatic with a spicy-camphoraceous scent and an acrid warming bite.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
LINDERA
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- lindera
- Scientific name
- Lindera aggregata (Sims) Kosterm.
- Family
- Lauraceae
Form
- Part used
- tuberous root
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- pungent
Temperature
- TCM
- warm
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Lung · Spleen · Kidney · Bladder
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- promotes the movement of qi, disperses cold, stops pain, warms the Kidney
Cautions
- Contraindications
- caution in qi and blood deficiency and in yin deficiency with internal heat
- Toxicity
- well tolerated in normal doses
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