Excerpted from Bensky:  Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica, 3rd ed.

• Invigorates the blood and dispels blood stasis:  for blood stasis patterns with such symtpoms as dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, and retained lochia.  Also used for post-traumatic pain.*
• Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys, strengthens the sinews and bones, and benefits the joints:  for pain and soreness affecting the lower back and knees due to deficiency.*
• Induces the downward movement of blood and fire:  for chaotic movement of hot blood in the upper burner or yin deficiency with ascending fire.  Manifestations include nosebleed, vomiting blood, toothaches, bleeding gums.  Also for dizziness, headache, and blurred vision due to ascendent Liver yang.*
• Clears damp-heat in the lower burner:  for cases of damp-heat pouring downward manifesting as knee pain or lower back damp painful obstruction.  It is also an auxiliary herb for painful urinary dribbling or vaginal discharge.  Especially useful for painful urinary dribbling with stones accompanied by lower back pain and bloody urine.*