Tu Fu Ling: The TCM Herb for Detoxification and Joint Relief

Hongji Medical
Jun 9
3 min read

Tu Fu Ling, also known as Smilax glabra or China Root, is a widely used herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) valued for its ability to detoxify, remove dampness, and relieve joint pain.

It is particularly effective for conditions like syphilis, eczema, and sores. Its medicinal use was first recorded in the Diannan Bencao (Yunnan Materia Medica), marking its long history of therapeutic application.

Ancient texts like the Bencao Gangmu Shiyi (Compendium of Materia Medica Supplement) noted its benefits for strengthening the spleen, invigorating muscles and bones, and treating syphilis and joint pain. The Bencao Zhengyi emphasized its detoxifying properties and ability to improve joint mobility, while the Lingnan Caiyao Lu highlighted its role in relieving damp-heat and skin conditions. These records establish Tu Fu Ling as a key remedy for detoxification and joint health.

Properties of Tu Fu Ling

Nature and Channels

Taste: Sweet, bland
Nature: Neutral
Channels: Liver, Stomach

Main Benefits

Detoxifies the body
Removes dampness
Improves joint mobility

Dosage

Internal use: 15–30 grams, boiled in decoctions; up to 60 grams for severe conditions.

Growing Regions

Found in southern China, including Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Yunnan, and Sichuan.

Identification

Shape: Irregular blocks, 5–22 cm long, 3–10 cm in diameter.
Color: Brownish to dark brown, rough with irregular wrinkles and lenticel-like protrusions.
Texture: Hard, difficult to break, with a granular, pale reddish-brown or grayish-brown cross-section.
Scent and Taste: Mild scent, bland taste.

Clinical Uses of Tu Fu Ling

Tu Fu Ling is used in TCM to treat various conditions:

Syphilis: It can be used alone or with other herbs to manage syphilis and its symptoms.
Damp-Heat Sores: It relieves red, itchy, and oozing skin conditions.
Eczema: It reduces itching and fluid seepage caused by eczema.
Joint Pain: It eases swelling, pain, and restricted movement in joints.
Urinary Turbidity (Lin Syndrome): It addresses frequent, painful, or dribbling urination due to damp-heat.

Specific Benefits

Detoxification: Tu Fu Ling inhibits syphilis spirochetes and reduces toxin-related symptoms.
Removing Dampness: It clears damp-heat, helping with skin conditions like eczema and sores.
Improving Joint Mobility: It relieves joint pain and stiffness, enhancing movement.

農本方 - 土茯苓

Buy Now

Tu Fu Ling in TCM Formulas

Tu Fu Ling is often combined with other herbs in TCM formulas to enhance its effects. Here are some examples:

Jie Du Tang (Detoxification Decoction): Combines Tu Fu Ling with Honeysuckle, Forsythia, and Dandelion to boost heat-clearing and detoxifying effects, used for toxic sores.
Chu Shi Tang (Remove Dampness Decoction): Includes Tu Fu Ling with Coix Seed, Red Bean, and Alisma to enhance dampness removal, treating eczema and edema.
Bi Xie Fen Qing Yin (Dioscorea Clear Turbidity Decoction): Pairs Tu Fu Ling with Dioscorea, Acorus, Alpinia, and Lindera to clear dampness and warm the kidneys, used for urinary turbidity or excessive vaginal discharge.

農本方 - 萆薢分清飲

Buy Now

Comparison with Similar Herbs

Tu Fu Ling shares effects with other TCM herbs but has unique strengths:

Dioscorea (Bi Xie): Clears dampness and relieves joint pain but is less effective for detoxification and more focused on urinary issues.
Coix Seed (Yi Yi Ren): Removes dampness and strengthens the spleen but is better for edema and diarrhea, with weaker detoxifying effects.
Honeysuckle (Jin Yin Hua): Clears heat and detoxifies but is stronger for throat infections and sores, with less focus on dampness.

Tu Fu Ling stands out for its combined detoxification, dampness removal, and joint-relieving properties, especially for syphilis.

農本方 - 金銀花

Buy Now

Modern Applications and Research

Modern research highlights Tu Fu Ling’s benefits:

Anti-Syphilis Effects: Its extracts inhibit syphilis spirochetes.
Diuretic Effects: It promotes water excretion, reducing fluid retention.
Anti-Inflammatory: It reduces inflammation by suppressing inflammatory mediators.
Immune Support: It enhances the body’s immune response.

Clinically, Tu Fu Ling is used for syphilis, eczema, arthritis, and urinary tract infections, with promising results.

How to Use Tu Fu Ling Safely

Precautions

Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency: Use cautiously, as long-term or high-dose use may deplete yin.
Avoid with Tea: Tea’s tannins may reduce Tu Fu Ling’s effectiveness.

Usage Tips

Tu Fu Ling is typically boiled in decoctions, with higher doses (up to 60 grams) for severe cases. Consult a TCM practitioner for proper dosage and suitability.

Conclusion

Tu Fu Ling is a versatile TCM herb known for detoxifying, removing dampness, and relieving joint pain. It effectively treats syphilis, eczema, sores, and joint issues, with modern research supporting its anti-syphilis, diuretic, and anti-inflammatory effects. To ensure safe and effective use, consult a TCM practitioner for guidance on dosage and application.

See All

Coix Seed Yi Ren: A Nutritious Chinese Herb for Spleen Health and Dampness Relief

Honeysuckle: A Cooling Herb for Detox and Cold Relief

Bi Xie Fen Qing Yin: A Classic Formula for Treating Damp-Cold Urinary Issues

Use Now

AI Chinese Medicine

Online Q&A

Use Now

AI Chinese Medicine

Online Q&A

中醫知識

Chinese Medicine - Qi

Blood and semen

Heart and lungs

Spleen and Liver

Kidney

Gallbladder, stomach, intestines, bladder

Interrelationships among the five internal organs

Other questions

Qi is the constantly moving subtle substance that constitutes the human body and maintains its vital activities.

There are three main sources of Qi in the human body: the innate essence inherited from parents, the essence of water and grain in food, and the pure Qi existing in nature.

Qi has many important physiological effects on the human body. The normal functioning of the internal organs, meridians, limbs, bones, five senses and nine orifices all depends on the physiological effects of Qi.

Generally speaking, the physiological effects of Qi include five aspects: promotion, warming, defense, consolidation, and qi transformation.

Yuan Qi is the most original Qi in the human body.

Yuan Qi is mainly composed of the essence of the kidneys and is generated from the essence of the kidneys.

The distribution of primordial energy is throughout the body, reaching everywhere. The internal organs, meridians, body parts, five senses and nine orifices are all places where primordial energy rises, falls, enters and exits.

The main physiological functions of Yuan Qi are twofold: one is to promote and stimulate the growth, development and reproduction of the human body. The other is to promote and stimulate the physiological activities of the internal organs and meridians.

If the kidneys are deficient in essence and energy due to congenital deficiency, postnatal malnutrition, or long-term illness, and the kidneys lack the source of vital energy, various diseases may occur.

Zong Qi is the Qi that accumulates in the chest. The place where Zong Qi accumulates is called "Tan Zhong" (between the two breasts). Because it is the place where Zong Qi is most concentrated, it is also called "Qi Hai".

Zong Qi is mainly composed of the fresh air from nature inhaled by the lungs and the essence of water and grain produced by the spleen and stomach from food.

The main functions of Zong Qi are twofold:

1. It is to walk the Xi Dao to control breathing. All breathing, speech, and voice are related to the Zong Qi. When the Zong Qi is abundant, the breathing is slow and the rhythm is even, the speech is clear and the voice is loud; otherwise, the breathing is short and the voice is low.

Second, it is to circulate Qi and blood through the heart meridians. All the beating of the heart and the circulation of Qi and blood are related to Zong Qi. If the pulse is gentle, the rhythm is consistent, and there is spirit and root, it is a manifestation of abundant Zong Qi. On the contrary, if the pulse is agitated, scattered, weak, or irregular, it means that the Zong Qi is insufficient or even weak.

Zhongqi refers to the Qi of the middle burner. Because the spleen and stomach are located in the middle burner, the Qi of the spleen and stomach is generally called "Zhongqi".

It is generally believed that the formation of Zhong Qi is formed by the combination of the Yuan Qi distributed in the Zhongjiao and the water and grain essence produced by the spleen and stomach.

The middle qi is mainly distributed in the middle burner, spreading between the spleen, stomach, and intestines, and it rises and falls, constantly mediating.

The main functions of Zhongqi include three aspects:

1. It controls the rise and fall of Qi. The middle burner is the hub of the rise and fall of Qi. When the middle Qi is abundant and harmonious, the Qi of the liver and spleen will rise healthily, and the Qi of the lungs and stomach will descend smoothly. When the rise and fall are smooth, all organs will be at peace.

Second, it stimulates the spleen and stomach to absorb and transport. When the middle qi is abundant, the spleen rises and the stomach descends normally, the water and grain are received and transported normally, and the essence of water and grain is continuously produced to generate qi and blood, nourishing the whole body.

Third, it maintains the position of the internal organs. The reason why the internal organs maintain their relatively constant position depends on the rise and fall of the qi of the middle jiao spleen and stomach.

Ying Qi, also known as "Rong Qi", is the Qi that flows in the veins.

The distribution and movement of Ying Qi are clearly discussed in Suwen Bi Lun, which points out that Ying Qi "harmonizes the five internal organs, flows through the six bowels, and then enters the meridians."

It explains that the nutrient energy enters the meridians, circulates throughout the body, flows into the internal organs, and reaches the limbs, repeating the cycle over and over again.

The main functions of Ying Qi:

1. It is the transformation of blood.

Second, it nourishes the whole body. The nourishing qi enters the blood vessels and causes the body fluids to penetrate into the blood vessels. The two combine to form blood.

The so-called Qi can produce blood, mainly refers to: Ying Qi transforms into blood. Ying Qi is produced by the refined part of the essence of grains, and is a nutrient necessary for physiological activities such as viscera and meridians, and plays an important role in maintaining human life activities.

The Inner Canon of Medicine states that the Nutritive Qi "harmonises the five internal organs, and spreads throughout the six bowels", "nourishes the four extremities", etc., which emphasizes that the Nutritive Qi has a nourishing effect.

Wei Qi is the Qi that circulates outside the veins. It is so called because it protects the skin and resists external pathogens.

The distribution of Wei Qi is fast, smooth and agile, and is not restricted by blood vessels, so it can "flow through the skin, between the flesh, fumigate the peritoneum, and spread to the chest and abdomen" (Suwen Bi Lun). This shows that Wei Qi spreads throughout the body, externally between the skin and muscles, and internally to the peritoneum of the chest and abdomen - the area inside the diaphragm of the chest cavity.

The main physiological functions of Wei Qi are three-fold:

First, it protects the skin and prevents the invasion of external pathogens. In clinical practice, if a patient is prone to colds and fever, the treatment is usually based on the theory that the Wei surface is not solid. The theoretical basis is here. Second, it warms the internal organs, muscles, fur, etc. Wei Qi has a strong warming effect. If Wei Yang is deficient, the warming power is weakened, and cold symptoms such as cold body, cold limbs and low body temperature may appear. If Wei Qi is stagnant and turns into heat, hot symptoms such as fever and malignant fever may appear.

Third, it regulates the opening and closing of pores and controls sweat excretion, which is what Lingshu Benzang says about the Wei Qi having the function of “controlling opening and closing”.

Tu Fu Ling: The TCM Herb for Detoxification and Joint Relief

Properties of Tu Fu Ling

Nature and Channels

Main Benefits

Dosage

Growing Regions

Identification

Clinical Uses of Tu Fu Ling

Specific Benefits

Tu Fu Ling in TCM Formulas

Comparison with Similar Herbs

Modern Applications and Research

How to Use Tu Fu Ling Safely

Precautions

Usage Tips

Conclusion

Related Posts

中醫知識

The concept of Qi

Vitality

Zong Qi

Middle Qi

Ying Qi

Health

Be the first to receive promotional offers and rewards in your inbox. Subscribe to our emails today.Whatsapp us to learn more