Ci Ji Li
Tribuli Fructus
acrid, bitter, neutral
PRIMARY FUNCTION:
Extinguish Wind and Stop Tremors
CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Vertigo
- Chest pain
- Fullness sensation
- Flank pain
- Irregular menstruation
- Lactation difficulties
- Eye disorders
- Redness of the eyes
- Excess lacrimation
- Irritation of eyes
- Itching
Ci Ji Li breaks up qi and blood. In Traditional East Asian Medicine, “qi” does not refer to energy but rather to patterns of biological activity or potential activity. Breaking up qi refers to getting stagnant areas of poor function back to increased function. Breaking up blood refers to increasing circulation. Ci Ji Li does this by entering the liver and the lung systems. It is acrid to disperse and break up and bitter to drain out stagnations or move the elimination systems of the body.
Herbs of this nature, such as Ci Ji Li, should never be used on pregnant patients because the strong movement of qi and blood can result in miscarriage.
The liver response from this herb is what helps with red and swollen eyes. The eyes are a single artery system and very sensitive to blood stagnation patterns.
Channels: liver
COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:
- Allergies
- Pruritus
- Hives
- Menstrual disorders
- Menorrhagia
- Dysmenorrhea
- Hypertension
- Headaches
- Antimicrobial
- Conjunctivitis
- Mastitis
- Angina
- Vitiligo
- Anxiety
Formulas:
- Dang Gui Yin Zi
Contraindications: do not prescribe Ci Ji Li to patients that have liver qi deficiency problems or blood deficiency, qi deficiency, or if they are pregnant
Zoo Image: a rhino wearing sunglasses is floating down the Smooth Qi River but his yang anchor broken up the qi floater and is about to do the same to the blood floater, there are ants falling onto him from a branch