Witnessed by: TCM
Duckweed (Spirodela polyrhiza), of the Araceae family. Tiny free-floating aquatic of ponds and ditches; native range: still and slow waters throughout China. Globally recognized as fu ping (浮萍) in Chinese, and duckweed, greater duckweed, common duckmeat in English. The part used is whole plant. Minute rounded fronds, green above and purplish beneath, trailing fine rootlets, nearly weightless and faintly acrid.
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.
DUCKWEED
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- duckweed
- Scientific name
- Spirodela polyrhiza (L.) Schleid.
- Family
- Araceae
Form
- Part used
- whole plant
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- pungent
Temperature
- TCM
- cold
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Lung · Bladder
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- releases the exterior, disperses wind-heat, vents rashes and promotes urination to reduce edema
Cautions
- Contraindications
- avoid in exterior deficiency with spontaneous sweating and in blood deficiency
- Toxicity
- no significant toxicity at usual dose
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