Cortex Pseudolaricis (Tujingpi)

Naming
Tu Jing Pi (Cortex Pseudolaricis)-Ben Cao Gang Mu Shi Yi (A Supplement to the Compendium of Materia Medica)

Origin
The root bark or peri-root bark of Pseudolarix kaempfri Gold. of family Pinaceae.

Location
Mainly in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui provinces of China.

Harvest
Exploited before or after summer solstice.

The actual smell and taste
Light smell, bitter and astringent taste.

Best quality
Large in size, yellowish brown in color, with cellulose and without cortex.

Processing
Unprocessed.

Property
Pungent, warm; toxic; lung and spleen meridians entered.

Actions
Kill parasites and relieve itching.

Indications
Ringworm

It can only be indicated externally. It is good at killing parasites, curing ringworm, expelling dampness and relieve itching, while the main action focuses on treating ringworm. It can be either singly used in wine or ground into powder to mix with vinegar for external application, or combined with ortho-oxybenzoic acid and benzoic acid to make into tincture for external application. For Eczema and itching of skin, it can be used singly in wine for external application, or combined with dampness-astringing and itching-relieving herbs. For instance, it is combined with Radix Flavescentis (Kushen), Bai Fan, Fructus Cnidii (Shechuangzi)">Fructus Cnidii (Shechuangzi), etc. to be made into powder to mix with wine for external application.

Dosage and Administrations
Take proper dose for external application. Soaked in vinegar or wine or ground into powder for external application.

Cautions
It should be used externally only, not for internal use.