Herb module

Xu Duan

Xu DuanDipsacus asper

A root whose name speaks of reconnecting what is broken, traditionally used to strengthen sinews and bones.

Xu Duan is the root of a teasel plant, valued in Traditional Chinese Medicine for supporting the structures that hold us up: sinews and bones. It is used to tonify the Liver and Kidneys, which in Traditional Chinese Medicine nourish the tendons and skeleton. In Zoi's Pain Release™ formula, it brings a rebuilding, restorative quality to support recovery after strain or injury.

Best functions

Traditionally used to tonify the Liver and Kidneys
Used to strengthen sinews and bones
Valued for reconnecting sinews and bones
Supports the mending of injured tissues
Research has looked at its effects on bone-forming cells

Fascinating facts

The name Xu Duan is often translated as 'restore what is broken', a nod to its traditional use for sinews and bones.
Xu Duan belongs to the teasel family, plants known for their prickly stems and spiky, egg-shaped flower heads.
Laboratory research has studied compounds from Dipsacus asper and their influence on the cells that build new bone.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine

Xu Duan is slightly warm and enters the Liver and Kidney meridians.

Go deeperDownload the fact sheet on the Pain Release page

Biomedical deep dive

Xu Duan Xu Duan

From the Zoi Medicinals fact sheets’ Biomedical Details, with lines from Noa’s herb notes marked “Noa’s notes”.

On the fact sheet

Xu Duan (Dipsacus asper) is slightly warm and enters the LIV and KI meridians; tonifies the Liver and Kidneys, strengthens sinews and bones, reconnects sinews and bones, and promotes healing of injured tissues. · Pain Release sheet

Key active constituents

The fact sheets don’t name constituents for this herb.

Pharmacology and mechanisms

Xu Duan has been shown to promote osteoblast differentiation (maturing of bone-building cells) and support bone healing.
Triterpenoid saponins are listed as its active constituents. Noa’s notes
Promotes osteoblast (bone-building) activity and inhibits osteoclasts (bone-breakdown cells). Noa’s notes
Uterine tonic: strengthens the uterine lining and reduces contractility. Noa’s notes
Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulating. Noa’s notes

What the research says

Compounds from Dipsacus asper showed anti-osteoporotic (bone-protecting) activity (Nian et al., J Ethnopharmacol 2008).
Dipsacus asper extract supported osteoblast differentiation and bone formation (Wong and Rabie, Phytother Res 2006).

Safety, interactions and cautions

Every Zoi fact sheet: do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding unless directed by your health care practitioner.
The Pain Release fact sheet cautions that the formula contains multiple blood-moving herbs, so use caution with anticoagulant or antiplatelet medicines (warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel), as effects may be stronger.
Use caution with Yin deficiency with Heat, excess Heat patterns, and bleeding disorders with Heat. Noa’s notes
Notion notes no known drug interactions and good long-term tolerance. Noa’s notes

In these Zoi formulas

Pain Release (#15 on the fact sheet)

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.