Luo Bu Ma Ye – Dogbane Leaf – Folium Apocyni Veneti

Luo Bu Ma Ye

English Name: dogbane leaf

Pharmaceutical Name: Folium Apocyni Veneti

Medica Category: Extinguish Wind/Stop Tremors

Properties: Luo Bu Ma enters the Liver channel; it is sweet and bitter in nature and cool in temperature.

What is Luo Bu Ma Ye?:

The Chinese herb Luo Bu Ma Ye is the dried leaves of a number of species in the genus Apocynum commonly/collectively referred to as dogbane (because the ancient Greeks used the herb to poison dogs). The herb of commerce comes from the plant Apocynum Veneti, but other species of dogbane have medicinal effects as well. It is best known as a cardiotonic and used to address hypertension but has other effects on the body as well (specific actions in TCM language are discussed below).

Luo Bu Ma Ye is considered to be mildly toxic and long term usage/exceeding max dosages is discouraged (see safety notes below).

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Therapeutic Actions of Luo Bu Ma Ye:

Luo Bu Ma Ye calms Liver wind and anchors Liver Yang when it is rising. Clinical presentation of this pattern include such symptoms as dizziness, headaches, vertigo, irritability, restlessness and insomnia. Luo Bu Ma Ye also addresses hypertension due to heat in the Liver channel/Liver yang rising.

Luo Bu Ma Ye clears heat and promotes urinations to address edema and urinary difficulty (with heat signs).

Luo Bu Ma Ye nourishes the Heart and calms the shen (spirit) to address insomnia, palpitations, and other generalized nervous conditions.

–safety/clinical notes:

Contraindicated during pregnancy.

Not recommended for long term use; do not exceed maximum dose levels—adverse effects can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, epigastric discomfort, and abdominal tension.