Latin Name
Aucklandia lappa

General Description
Aucklandia root is used for several abdominal disorders. Its Chinese name literally means "wood fragrance" in English it is sometimes known as costus root or saussurea. Classified by Chinese medicine practitioners as acrid, bitter, and warm, it is grown mainly in China's Yunnan province, although it also appears in Sichuan and Tibet.

Target Ailments

• Diarrhea, lack of appetite, abdominal pain or distention, nausea and vomiting (Taken internally)

Preparations
Over the counter:
Aucklandia is available in bulk at Chinese pharmacies, Asian food markets and some Western health food stores.

At home:
For treatment of diarrhea, it should be toasted for greater effectiveness and is usually added to a mixture of herbs during the last five minutes of cooking.
Combinations: When mixed with green tangerine peel, aucklandia is given to patients suffering from indigestion or pain and swelling in the abdomen. Chinese herbalists recommend a preparation of aucklandia and coptis to treat the type of diarrhea that feels burning and explosive. Another mixture, with grains-of-paradise fruit, is prescribed for abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, morning sickness and diarrhea. In combination with rhubarb root and betel nut, aucklandia is used to treat swelling of the abdomen accompanied by diarrhea. Consult a Chinese herbalist for information on specific dosages and additional herbal combinations.

Special Information

• In laboratory studies using guinea pigs, extracts of the herb have shown some ability to clear out the bronchial tubes and reduce blood pressure.