Cibotium Root - Gou Ji
Other Common Names
Cibotium
Latin Name
Rhizoma Cibotii Barometz
Pinyin
Gou Ji
Treasures
Yang Jing
Treasure Rating
***
Atmospheric Energy
Warm
Taste
Bitter and Sweet
Organ Meridian Systems
Liver, Kidney
Part Used and Form
Sliced Rhizome
Primary Functions
Kidney and Liver Tonic
Qualities
Cibotium Root tonifies Liver and Kidney, strengthens bones and sinews. Chronic Liver and Kidney deficiencies that are complicated by invasion of cold, dampness and wind. Clinically, the chief complaint is back and knee pain and wekness with stiffness and inability to lie down flat without feeling pain; also Lumbar pain. Cibotium Root also dispels wind dampness and relieves Bi Syndrome where there is pain and stiffness caused by invasion of pathogenic wind, damp and cold with deficient constitution. Cibotium consolidates Jin and prevents leakage htat causes incontinence, spermatorrhea and profuse clear vaginal discharge or hypermenorrhea.
Cibotium is a perfect example of a basic Yang tonic herb. It strengthens the Yang of the Liver and Kidney and relieves pain and spasms. Cibotium is mostly used in formulations where it is combined with Kidney yang tonics to strengthen the back and sexual organs. The same Kidney yang tonic herbs, with the addition of a couple of other ingredients such as Cinnamon Twig and Gentiana, may be used to relieve aches, pains and stiffness in the lumbar region of the back and to relieve pain in the knees.
Cibotium's ability to tonify Kidney yang causing sexual dysfunction is not its best function. However its strength is in treating pain that is associated with Kidney deficiency or invasion of wind damp.
Primary Combinations
Combine with:
- Eucommia, Dipsacus and Drynaria to strengthen and fortify Kidney yang and to strengthen the lower back and knees
- Cinnamon Twig and Gentiana plus above mentioned Kidney yang tonics to treat low back pain, knee pain and other joint pain due to rheumatism
Varieties and Grading
Cibotium available in Chinese herb shops in America is consistently of good quality.
Contraindications
Do not use in cases of dehydration resulting in diminished or deep yellow urine and in dry mouth.
