---
title: "Bu Gu Zhi"
url: "https://books.drcassone.com/21/traditional-medicines-of-east-asia/425/bu-gu-zhi"
---

 ![bu gu zhi, psoraleae fructus.jpg](/u/bu-gu-zhi-psoraleae-fructus-Kh1mXD.jpg) 

# Bu Gu Zhi

### Psoraleae Fructus

_acrid, bitter, very warm_

#### PRIMARY FUNCTION:

_**Tonify Yang**_

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:
- Male sexual dysfunction
 - Erectile dysfunction
 - Premature ejaculation
- Urinary tract disorders
 - Enuresis
 - Excess urinary frequency
- Pain
 - Low back pain
 - Cold extremities
- Wheezing
- Vitiligo
- Gastrointestinal tract disorders
 - Diarrhea
 - Borborygmus
 - Abdominal pain

The acrid aspect combined with the warming function of Bu Gu
Zhi scatters and moves the cold in the abdomen, low back, and
extremities. This is useful when the pain is caused from a cold
pattern especially when the cold is from deficiency of yang (not
enough heat).

It enters the spleen system for improvements in digestive
function. This herb likely helps with pancreatic secretion of
enzymes and with hydrochloric acid production in the stomach.
For this reason, it can treat diarrhea when the diarrhea is caused
from spleen deficiency.

The bitter quality of Bu Gu Zhi may help to eliminate transient
bacteria in intestines and may explain the positive effect on
vitiligo which is an autoimmune disease (although references to
this benefit mostly refer to topical application). Many
autoimmune diseases have their origins in gastrointestinal
dysfunction. Once the microbiome of the gut is dysbiotic, then
GALT (gut associated lymphoid tissue) will be compromised
thereby impairing immune function systemically.

Bu Gu Zhi enters the kidney system to support hormone
production from the adrenal glands. Low aldosterone will result in
excess clear urination and this herb can help. The adrenal glands
produce sex hormones which strengthen the tendons and
ligaments resulting in a stronger low back. There may be a
gonadal support aspect that combines with the adrenal gland
support for treating erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation
when the pathomechanism is deficiency of yang hormones.

**Channels:** kidney, spleen

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL
POSSIBILITIES:
- Pancreatic exocrine function
 - Enzymes
- Hypochlorhydria
- Gastritis
- Chronic diarrhea
- Cold/painful extremities
- Alopecia
- Asthma
 - Bronchodilating hormones
- Adrenal gland system
 - Dyspnea
 - Spermatorrhea
 - Sex hormone dysregulation
- Leukorrhea
- Chronic cough
- Menorrhagia
- Frequent urination
- Fungal infections of the skin

**Formulas:**
- Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan
- Qing E Wan
- Si Shen Wan

**Contraindications:** do not use when there are signs of yin
deficiency, this herb sometimes causes discomfort with patients
that have a weak stomach, do not give with Gan Cao

**Zoo Image:** a grizzly bear is on a scooter having diarrhea from his cold
abdomen, his kidney is grasping a qi can that he is wheezing into, he has
vitiligo and a bed pan attached to the front of his scooter

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