桑白皮 vs. 葶苈子
By admin • Aug 27th, 2007 • Category: CardiovascularHerbs known to work strongly on the lungs may actually work more directly with the cardiovascular system. Let’s outline their similarities and differences in this respect:
- Both are diuretics and hence may work to lower hypertension.
- 桑白皮 seems to work by suppressing the nervous system, more suitable to a 心火上炎 situation characterized by over-agitation and anxiety. 葶苈子 seems to work by strengthening the heart, something like a beta-receptor agonist for a 心阳虚 situation.
- Of course, 桑白皮 also suppresses the cough center via nervous action, while 葶苈子 is more an anti-bacterial machine gun.