Lu Lu Tong (路路通) — Liquidambar Fruit
Lu Lu Tong is a spiky woody fruit that moves stagnant Qi and Blood in the collaterals (the smaller channels distal from the main meridians). It is the classical herb for chronic joint pain that extends into the fingers and toes, and for lactation problems.
On this page
- Overview
- Properties
- Actions and indications
- Dosage
- Cautions and incompatibilities
- Key formulas
- Treatment at my clinic
1. Overview
Lu Lu Tong (路路通) — Liquidambar Fruit (Liquidambar formosana (fruit)) — is a Chinese herb in the Invigorate Blood / Free the Collaterals category. I prescribe it as part of bespoke pharmaceutical-grade granule formulas from Sun Ten in Taiwan at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire and via online herbal consultations.
2. Properties
| Pinyin name | Lu Lu Tong |
|---|---|
| Chinese characters | 路路通 |
| Latin name | Liquidambar formosana (fruit) |
| English name | Liquidambar Fruit |
| Nature | Neutral |
| Flavour | Bitter |
| Channels entered | Liver, Stomach, Bladder |
| Category | Invigorate Blood / Free the Collaterals |
3. Actions and indications
Principal actions
- Moves Qi and Blood in the collaterals
- Frees the channels and eases pain
- Promotes lactation
- Promotes urination
Indications
- Joint pain extending into fingers and toes
- Post-stroke hemiplegia
- Amenorrhoea and dysmenorrhoea from Qi and Blood stasis
- Insufficient lactation
- Chronic damp skin lesions
4. Dosage
3–9g
5. Cautions and incompatibilities
- Contraindicated in pregnancy
- Not for Blood deficient women
6. Key formulas
Lu Lu Tong is used in a range of bespoke prescriptions rather than a fixed classical formula in modern practice. Consult a qualified TCM herbalist for individual prescription.
7. Treatment at my clinic
I prescribe Lu Lu Tong where its indications and TCM pattern match the patient’s presentation, always as part of a tailored formula. Return to the Chinese herbs directory or the Chinese herbal medicine main page.
