Pu Yin – Indian Stringbush – Radix Wikstroemia Indica

Pu Yin

English Name: Indian stringbush

Pharmaceutical Name: Radix Wikstroemia Indica

Medica Category: Heat-Clearing and Toxin-Eliminating Herbs

Properties: Pu Yin enters the Lung and Liver channels; it is bitter in nature and cold in temperature.

What is Pu Yin?:

The Chinese Herb Pu Yin the dried roots of the Indian Stringbush (Wikstroemia indica C.A. Mey), a small forest shrub that grows throughout parts of India, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Southeast China.

**Safety note. The berries of this plant are toxic; furthermore, the modern Chinese medica (Chen & Chen) lists this herb as toxic as well (the assumption here being the roots contain toxins as well); thus this herb is contraindicated for during pregnancy and nursing women and in any case its use should be monitored by a trained health care practitioner.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Therapeutic Actions of Pu Yin:

Pu Yin clears heat-toxins, breaks masses, and dispels water (reduces accumulations) to address a variety of conditions to include pneumonia, tonsilitis, parotitis, scrofula, ascites, abdominal swellings, and toxic swelling due trauma (this list is not exhaustive).