Du Zhong
English Name: eucommia bark
Pharmaceutical Name: Cortex Eucommiae
Medica Category: Yang-Tonifying Herbs
Properties: Du Zhong enters the Kidney and Liver channels; it is sweet in nature and warm in temperature.
What is Du Zhong?:
The Chinese Herb Du Zhong is the bark of the Eucommia tree (aka hardy rubber tree– Eucommia ulmoides Oliv.), which is cultivated in Guizhou, Sichuan and Shaanxi provinces in China for its latex-like, rubbery sap as well as for its bark, which is harvested in strips from relatively mature trees in the spring. The strips of bark are sun-dried and can either be used unprocessed or be salt-fried for use as medicine.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Therapeutic Actions of Du Zhong:
Du Zhong (especially salt-fried) tonifies the Liver blood and Kidney jing (essence) and strengthens sinews and bones to address lower back pain and soreness in the knees. Paired with Xu Duan, it heals broken bones and speeds the repair of strained tendons and ligature (by increasing blood flow).
Du Zhong calms the fetus in cases of Liver and Kidney deficiency to address restless fetus, bleeding, and potential miscarriage.
Du Zhong tonifies Kidney yang to address reproductive and urinary disorders such as impotence and polyuria.
Du Zhong (dry-fried without salt) has been used in China to treat hypertension successfully, an effect attributed to its dilating blood vessels.
–safety/clinical notes:
Use with caution in cases of yin-deficient fire.