What it is:
This herb is the foliferous stem and branch of the Taxillus chinensis (DC.) Danser (family Loranthaceae), pro- duced chiefly in Hebei, Shangdong and Guangdong provinces. It is collected in winter or early spring, cut to pieces, dried, and used unprepared.

Property:
Bitter and sweet in flavour, neutral in property, acting on the liver and kidney channels.

Effects:
Expelling wind-dampness, invi- gorating the liver and kidney, streng- thening the muscles and b ones, and nourishing the blood to prevent abortion.

Used for:
1. Arthralgia and aches in the loins and legs due to wind- dampness. This herb not only eliminated wind- dampness but also nourishes the liver and kidney and strengthens the muscles and b ones, so it is very good for the treatment of stiffness of the muscles and joints and aches in the loins and legs due to insufficiency of the liver and kidney, and it is often used with pubescent angelica, and achyranthes root, as in Pubescent Angelica and Lorathus Decoction (Duhuo Jisheng Tang).

2. For threatened abortion or vaginal bleeding during pregnancy due to deficiency of blood, it is often used with chinese angelica root , donkey-hide gelatin and dipsasus root, as in Powder of Loranthus Mulberry Mistletoe (Sangji- sheng San). In addition, it can be used for trea- ting hypertension.

Dosage and administration: 10- 20g. The maximum dosage is 60g. It is decocted in water for an oral dose.