Cibotium, Gou Ji 狗脊
‘Golden Chicken Fern’
Gou Ji (TCM)
Cibotium barometz
Koehler, F.E., Medizinal Pflanzen, vol. 4 (1890)
Cibotium barometz rhizome
(Photo by Mokkie) (Wikimedia)
Cibotium Gou Ji
(Adam, 2025)
Members CLICK HERE for the PRO VERSION
Botanical name:
Cibotium barometz (syn. Aspidium barometz, Dicksonia barometz, Nephrodium baromez, Polypodium barometz)
Parts used:
Rhizome, either dried, or steamed, then sliced and dried.
Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Bitter, Sweet
Classifications:
Uses:
1. Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys, Strengthens the Bones and Joints:
-stiffness, pain or weakness in the Spine or Lower Back or lower Limbs
-weakness of the Knees or Legs, difficulty Walking
-Sciatica, Lumbo-sacral degeneration
-‘straightens rigid back and waist, smoothes the movements of the joints’ (Shen Nong Ben Cao)
2. Clears Wind-Damp, Eases Pain:
-Wind-Damp painful obstruction with Pain or Numbness
-Rheumatic Arthralgia
3. Strengthens the Kidneys, Retains the Essence:
-Urinary incontinence
-Leukorrhea with Kidney weakness
-‘Greatly benefits the Elderly’ (Shen Nong Ben Cao)
4. Externally:
-it has been used to stop Bleeding (Ayurveda)
Dose:
Decoction: 9–15 grams
Comment:
Preparation:
Main Combinations:
1. Lower Back Pain and Weakness:
i. Cibotium Gou Ji with … available in PRO version
ii. Cibotium Gou Ji with … available in PRO version
iii. Cibotium Gou Ji with … available in PRO version
iv. Cibotium Gou Ji with … available in PRO version
v. Cibotium Gou Ji with … available in PRO version
2. Arthritic or Rheumatic diseases of the lower back or lower extremities:
i. Cibotium Gou Ji with … available in PRO version
3. Leukorrhea, Spermatorrhea from Kidney Weakness, Cibotium Gou Ji with … available in PRO version
Cautions:
1. Difficult Urination
2. Heat from Yin deficiency; generally not used in Heat conditions.
