Yù Jīn (郁金) — Curcuma Tuber
On this page
- Overview
- Properties
- Actions and indications
- Key formulas
- Modern research
- Incompatibilities
- Cautions
- Treatment at my clinic
1. Overview
Yù Jīn (郁金) — the tuber of Curcuma aromatica, C. wenyujin or C. longa — is a cool, acrid Blood-moving herb in the Chinese pharmacopoeia. Unusually for a Blood mover, it is cool rather than warm, making it particularly useful when Blood stasis is complicated by Heat. It also has the distinctive action of opening the orifices, making it useful in psychiatric disturbance from Phlegm-Heat (the “mist obscuring the orifices of the Heart” pattern).
2. Properties
| Pinyin name | Yù Jīn |
|---|---|
| Chinese characters | 郁金 |
| Latin name | Curcuma aromatica / C. wenyujin |
| English name | Curcuma tuber |
| Nature | Cool |
| Flavour | Acrid, bitter |
| Channels entered | Heart, Liver, Gallbladder, Lung |
| Category | Herbs that invigorate Blood |
3. Actions and indications
Principal actions
- Invigorates Blood and moves Qi to relieve pain
- Clears Heat and cools the Blood
- Opens the orifices of the Heart
- Promotes the smooth flow of bile and clears Damp-Heat jaundice
Indications
- Chest, flank or epigastric pain from Qi and Blood stagnation with Heat
- Depression and mental disturbance from Phlegm misting the Heart
- Manic-depressive disorders, epilepsy from Phlegm-Heat
- Bleeding from Blood Heat with stasis (haematemesis, haemoptysis, haematuria)
- Damp-Heat jaundice and gallstones
- Menstrual irregularity from Liver Qi stagnation with Blood stasis and Heat
4. Key formulas containing Yù Jīn
- Chang Pu Yu Jin Tang — Phlegm-Heat misting the orifices
- Bai Jin Wan — Phlegm misting the Heart with mania
- Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang — Liver Qi stagnation with Blood stasis
5. Modern research
Active constituents include curcumin (in Curcuma longa-derived material), curcuminoids, sesquiterpenes and essential oils. Modern research demonstrates anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antidepressant, antioxidant and anti-tumour activity. Curcumin in particular has been extensively researched for inflammatory disease, depression and cardiovascular protection.
6. Incompatibilities
The classical Ming-dynasty texts Shi Ba Fan (Eighteen Antagonisms) and Shi Jiu Wei (Nineteen Mutual Inhibitions) record herb pairs that should not be combined. Modern practitioners treat these as strong cautions rather than absolute contraindications — classical training avoids the combinations except in carefully supervised low-dose protocols.
Yù Jīn (郁金) Curcuma Tuber should not normally be combined with:
- Ding Xiang — per the Shi Jiu Wei
7. Cautions
Contraindicated in pregnancy. The pharmacopoeia notes Yu Jin antagonises Ding Xiang (clove). Use cautiously with anticoagulants. Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.
Pattern contraindications
Contraindicated in pregnancy — Blood-invigorating herbs can stimulate uterine contraction and threaten the pregnancy. Use cautiously in patients with heavy menstrual bleeding, bleeding disorders or recent surgery.
Modern drug interactions
Yu Jin (Curcuma) has documented anticoagulant and antiplatelet activity — review with your GP if you take warfarin, DOACs, aspirin or clopidogrel. Mild hepatic CYP modulation. Per classical teaching (Shi Jiu Wei) not combined with Ding Xiang.
8. Treatment at my clinic
I see patients at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Online consultations are available. Return to the Chinese herb directory.
Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide. After a full video consultation, Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto formulates a bespoke herbal prescription and posts your Chinese herbs directly to your door.
