Cheng Liu
Tamarix chinensis Lour.
☯ TCM Properties
Releases the Exterior and Vents Rashes; Dispels Wind-Dampness; Promotes Urination; Resolves Toxicity
Western Herbalism Properties
Botanical Description
Tamarix chinensis (Chinese tamarisk, saltcedar) is a deciduous, much-branched shrub or small tree in the Tamaricaceae family, 3-7 m tall, native to saline soils, riverbanks, and coastal areas of China and Mongolia. The slender, drooping, reddish-brown to purplish-brown branchlets are clothed with tiny, scale-like, sessile, alternate, lanceolate-acuminate, slightly fleshy leaves 1-3 mm long, giving a feathery juniper-like appearance. The small bisexual flowers, 1-2 mm across, have five pink to rose-pink petals and five stamens; they are crowded in slender, densely flowered terminal racemes 3-6 cm long that combine into large, plumose, branching panicles. The fruit is a small, pyramidal capsule releasing minute, plumed seeds. Cheng Liu uses the young leafy twigs (POWO; Wikipedia).
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 3-9g | Daily | — | — | — |
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional Chinese Uses
Hua Jiao (Sichuan peppercorn) is a warm, numbing, pungent herb that warms the Spleen and Stomach, disperses cold, and relieves pain. It is used for cold abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and indigestion from Spleen-Stomach cold. It also kills intestinal parasites. Its characteristic numbing quality distinguishes it from other hot spices and makes it a signature ingredient in Sichuan cuisine as well as classical formulas for cold-type digestive disorders.
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.