Song Jie – Knotty Pine – Lignum Pini Nodi

Song Jie

English Name: knotty pine,

Literal Name: “pine joint”

Pharmaceutical Name: Lignum Pini Nodi

Medica Category: Wind Damp Dispelling Herbs – Pain Relieving Herbs

Properties: Song Jie enters the Liver channel; it is bitter in nature and warm in temperature.

What is Song Jie?:

The Chinese Herb Song Jie is dried pieces of knotty pine wood from the Chinese or Manchurian Red Pine (Pinus tabulaeformis Carr.).

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Therapeutic Actions of Song Jie:

Song Jie dispels wind and dries dampness to address bi zheng (painful obstruction syndrome) and because of its warm nature is best at doing this for pain that manifests (or worsens) during cold weather—typically a deep pain in the joints that make it hard to flex and move.

Additional notes:

Song Zi Ren (Pinus tabulaeformis seed) functions to moisten the intestines and promote movement of the bowels.