umbilical cord
Aliases：Kǎn Qì (recorded in Bencao Congxin — New Compendium of Materia Medica, literally "Kan [Trigram] Qi / Kidney Qi"), Kǎn Qì (literally "Kan Qi" — variant spelling), Mìng Dì (literally "Life Stalk"), Qí Cháng (literally "Navel Intestine"), Dù (literally "Belly"), and Dài (literally "Band"). (These are all alternative names for Qí Dài, i.e., the dried umbilical cord of a healthy newborn infant.)
Qí Dài (Umbilical Cord) is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the dried umbilical cord of a healthy newborn infant, belonging to the family Hominidae. It was first recorded in Bencao Shiyi (Supplements to Materia Medica).
Efficacy & Actions
Tonifies the Kidney and promotes qi absorption.
Indications
Kidney deficiency with wheezing and cough, consumptive disease with emaciation, qi and blood deficiency, night sweats, and chronic malaria.
Modern Pharmacology
Sex hormone‑like effects: Umbilical cord hormones can promote the estrous cycle in immature female mice, causing hypertrophy of the uterus and ovaries, and proliferation of the uterine mucosa. This effect is also observed in castrated mice. Vasodilatory effects: Causes dilation of blood vessels in the hind limbs of frogs and rabbit ears. Paralytic effects: Produces paralytic effects in frogs, mice, and rabbits. Excitatory effects on the intestine and uterus: Exerts excitatory effects on rabbit intestines and uterus.
Ingredients
The umbilical cord contains chondroitin sulfate, as well as glycogen and lipids.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 1–2 umbilical cords; use in pills or powders, 1–3 g; or bake until dry, grind into powder, and take 0.6–1.8 g.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with wind‑cold phlegm‑wheezing or stomach weakness.
Selected Formulas
For dual deficiency of yin and yang with depletion of spirit, qi, and blood, in critical deficiency conditions (Yiji, Kanqi Dan) Take 1 liang of Kanqi (human umbilical cord, roasted and ground), 1 liang of Renshen (Ginseng), 2 liang of Shudi (Prepared Rehmannia), 2 liang of Gouqi (Goji berry), and 2 liang of human milk powder. Grind into powder, mix with fermented wine and white honey, and form into pills the size of waxberry seeds. Take 2 qian each time with rice water. For chronic tertian malaria (Bencao Huiyan) Take 9 pieces of umbilical cord (burned to charcoal while retaining properties), 2 liang of Baizhu (Atractylodes macrocephala), and 5 qian of Renshen. Dry-roast and grind into powder. Add 1 liang of Fuzi (Aconite, boiled in children's urine), mash into a paste, and mix with the powder to form pills the size of waxberry seeds. Take 3 qian each morning. For persistent umbilical discharge in newborns (Quanyou Xinjian) Take 1 qian of burned and ground umbilical cord (wrapped in cotton), 1 qian of Danggui tou (Angelica head, powdered), and 1 zi (approx. 0.1-0.2g) of Shexiang (Musk). Mix and apply to the affected area.
Medicinal Parts
It is the dried umbilical cord of a healthy newborn infant.
Selection & Storage
Store in airtight dry containers in a cool, dry place, protected from insects.
