☯ TCM Properties
Nourishes Yin , eliminates Heat, c alms cough, stops bleeding
Traditional Chinese Uses
Shui Ta Gan is the liver of the otter (Lutra lutra), classical name Lutrae Jecur. In traditional texts it is a sweet, salty substance entering the Liver and Kidney channels, classed as a Yin tonic. It was used to nourish Yin and clear Deficiency-Heat, calm chronic cough and wheezing, and stop bleeding, applied to Yin-deficient patterns such as consumptive disease (xu lao), night sweats, hectic tidal fever, coughing of blood (hemoptysis) and night blindness.
This is provided for historical and educational reference only. The Eurasian otter is a protected, threatened species (CITES-listed), and its use is banned or restricted under wildlife-protection law in most jurisdictions; some sources also note the liver as slightly toxic. Do not source or use otter liver. Yin-nourishing plant and mineral substitutes should be used in modern practice.
Botanical Description
Shui Ta Gan is a minor folk-medicine name not catalogued as a headword in the principal modern Chinese Materia Medica references consulted, including Bensky and Gamble, the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and standard Zhong Yao Da Ci Dian entries. The literal sense ("water-pagoda-stem" or similar) suggests a wetland species, but no reliable correspondence to a botanical binomial can be established without further regional source material. Pending verified identification, no morphology, parts used or actions can responsibly be assigned.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 9-30g | Daily | — | — | — |
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.
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