Witnessed by: TCM
Sparganium (Sparganium stoloniferum), of the Typhaceae family. Emergent marsh herb with three-angled leaves; native range: shallow ponds, marshes and ditches of northern China. Globally recognized as san leng (三棱) in Chinese, and sparganium, bur-reed tuber in English. The part used is tuber. A hard pale conical tuber, dense and heavy, bland then acrid and slightly bitter.
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.
SPARGANIUM
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- sparganium
- Scientific name
- Sparganium stoloniferum (Buch.-Ham. ex Graebn.) Buch.-Ham. ex Juz.
- Family
- Typhaceae
Form
- Part used
- tuber
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- bitter · pungent
Temperature
- TCM
- neutral
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Liver · Spleen
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- breaks up blood stasis, moves qi, dispels food stagnation and relieves pain
Cautions
- Contraindications
- contraindicated in pregnancy, heavy menstruation and where there is no blood stasis; caution in qi and blood deficiency
- Toxicity
- no significant toxicity, but strongly blood-breaking and weakening if overused
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