Psoralea corylifolia - bu gu zhi

Salted Psoralea corylifolia
Salted Psoralea corylifolia is a product of the traditional Chinese medicine Psoralea corylifolia processed with salt. It is often used to warm the kidney and assist yang, consolidate semen and reduce urine, and relieve asthma. It is suitable for symptoms such as insufficient kidney yang, cold pain in the waist and knees, and enuresis and frequent urination. Salted roasting can enhance its effect of entering the kidney meridian and improve the kidney-tonifying effect.

1. Characteristics of salted Psoralea corylifolia
Processing method: Mix the Psoralea corylifolia with salt water and fry it until dry. The salty taste of salt can lead the medicine downward and enhance the kidney-tonifying effect.
Nature and flavor: warm in nature, pungent and bitter in taste, it enters the kidney and spleen meridians, and has the dual effects of warming and tonifying the spleen and kidney.
2. Main effects and applications
Warming the kidney and assisting yang
It is suitable for cold pain in the waist and knees, impotence and spermatorrhea, and frequent urination at night caused by kidney yang deficiency. It is often used in combination with Cuscuta chinensis, Eucommia ulmoides, etc.

Consolidating semen and reducing urine
It has a convergent effect on enuresis, frequent urination or spermatorrhea caused by insufficient kidney qi, and can be used with mulberry silkworm cocoon and Alpinia oxyphylla.

Intake of Qi and Asthma
It is used for asthma caused by kidney failure to take in Qi, and is often used with walnut kernels and Schisandra chinensis.

III. Usage and Precautions
Oral administration
Decoction: The usual dosage is 3-10 grams, which needs to be adjusted according to the doctor's advice.
Powder for pills: Use according to the prescription.
Topical treatment
After grinding, apply or soak in wine for external application. It can be used for skin problems such as vitiligo and psoriasis (doctor's guidance is required).

Contraindications and precautions
People with Yin deficiency and excessive fire should not use it: symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, dry mouth and tongue.
Pregnant women should use it with caution: it may affect fetal development.
Photosensitivity: Contains psoralen. Avoid direct exposure to strong light after external use to prevent skin allergies.
Drug interactions: Be cautious when used with anticoagulants, immunosuppressants, etc.
IV. Modern research and safety
Modern research shows that psoralen contains psoralen, isopsoralen and other ingredients, which have the effects of regulating immunity, anti-oxidation, and promoting bone healing, but excessive use may cause abnormal liver and kidney function. The dosage should be strictly followed to avoid long-term high-dose use. If adverse reactions such as nausea and rash occur, the drug should be discontinued immediately and medical attention should be sought.

If salt psoralea is needed to treat specific diseases (such as osteoporosis and chronic cough and asthma), it is recommended to use the drug under the guidance of a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner to avoid self-combination.