Umbilical cord, a name in traditional Chinese medicine. It refers to the umbilical cord of a healthy newborn infant of the Homo genus. It has the effects of tonifying the kidneys and regulating qi. It is commonly used to treat kidney deficiency-induced wheezing and cough, debility and weakness due to deficiency, deficiency of qi and blood, night sweats, and chronic malaria.
Umbilical Cord
Umbilical cord, a name in traditional Chinese medicine. It refers to the umbilical cord of a healthy newborn infant of the Homo genus. It has the effects of tonifying the kidneys and regulating qi. It is commonly used to treat kidney deficiency-induced wheezing and cough, debility and weakness due to deficiency, deficiency of qi and blood, night sweats, and chronic malaria.
Chinese Name : 脐带
Aliases : Kan Qi
Nature, Flavor & Meridian Tropism : Taste: sweet and salty; nature: warm. Enters the Heart, Lung, and Kidney meridians
Benefits & Efficacy
Benefits
Nourishes the kidneys and anchors the qi.
Indications
Used for kidney deficiency-induced wheezing and cough, consumptive weakness, deficiency of qi and blood, night sweats, and chronic malaria.
Usage and Dosage
Internal use: Decoct 1–2 pieces; use 1–3 g in pills or powders.
Precautions
Contraindicated for those with wind-cold-phlegm-induced wheezing or weak digestion.
Pharmacological Actions
1. Sex hormone-like effects; 2. Other effects: Vasodilatory effects.
Relevant Discussions
It is theorized that the umbilical cord has the function of tonifying the True Essence and blood and qi. ① Miao Xiyong: “The navel is the ‘stalk of life,’ situated between the heart and kidneys, serving as the dwelling place of the True Essence.While the fetus is in the mother’s womb, the umbilical cord connects it to the amniotic sac; the marvelous process of respiration and nourishment flows through this channel. When the fetus is born and the umbilical cord is cut, a single point of true primordial qi returns through this channel to the Gate of Life and the Dan Tian; thus, the navel is the ‘stalk of life,’ and the umbilical cord is also the place where true qi converges.The *Classic of Herbal Medicine* prescribes it for treating malaria; this likely refers to severe, chronic malaria with deficiency-cold, where its qi is used to replenish deficiencies. Today, the practice of removing the umbilical cord from infants, burning it to ash, and administering the ash orally is believed to neutralize all toxins from the womb and prevent convulsions and smallpox—this, too, is intended to supplement the true primordial qi.” (*Commentary on the Classic of Materia Medica*) ② Wang Xun: “The umbilical cord tonifies blood and qi because it contains the residual essence of the mother’s qi. For frail and weak infants or those with measles that fail to erupt, decocting this and administering it as a decoction has also proven quite effective.” (*Compendium of Medicinal Properties*)
Applications
Related Compatibility
1. For treating deficiency of both Yin and Yang, with damage to spirit, Qi, and blood, and critical deficiency conditions: One liang of Kan Qi (roasted and ground into powder), one liang of ginseng, two liang of prepared rehmannia root, two liang of goji berries, and two liang of human milk powder. Grind the ingredients into a fine powder, then mix with fermented rice wine and white honey to form pills the size of a tung seed. Take two qian per dose, followed by a drink of water. (《Yi Ji》 Kan Qi Dan)
2. For chronic malaria of the Three Yin channels: Nine umbilical cords (charred until only the essence remains), 2 liang of Atractylodes macrocephala, and 5 qian of ginseng. Dry all ingredients in an oven and grind into a fine powder. Add 1 liang of Aconite root boiled in a child’s urine, then pound into a paste and mix into pills the size of a Chinese gooseberry. Take 3 qian every morning. (*Compendium of Materia Medica*)
3. For persistent umbilical discharge: Wrap one qian of a fallen umbilical cord (burned and ground) in cotton, along with one qian of Angelica sinensis root (powdered) and one zi of musk. Apply the mixture topically. (*Complete Guide to Pediatric Care*)
Processing & Preparation
Processing Methods
Wash and rinse the umbilical cords thoroughly. Decoct honeysuckle and licorice to make a broth, add rice wine, and simmer the umbilical cords in it. Remove after boiling and dry thoroughly. For every 20 umbilical cords, use 3g each of honeysuckle and licorice, decoct in 500ml of water, and add 50g of rice wine.
Storage Methods
Store in a dry container, seal tightly, and keep in a cool, dry place to prevent insect infestation.
Crude Drug Identification
Properties of Crude Drugs
This product is in the form of slender strips, 10–15 cm long and approximately 0.5 cm in diameter. It is pale yellow or dark brown in color and translucent; when held up to the light, two arterial tubes and one venous tube are visible inside. It is tough and resilient, not easily broken. It has a faint fishy odor.