Learn About Chinese Herbs -Zhi Mu (Rhizoma Anemarrhenae)-

This product is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. "Shennong's Materia Medica" is listed in the medium grade.

Source: Dried rhizome of Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge, a perennial herbaceous plant of the Liliaceae family.

Origin: Yixian County, Zhangjiakou, Jixian County, Shanxi, Henan, Inner Mongolia in Hebei Province. Yixian products are commonly known as “Xi Ling Zhi Mu”, which is the most famous.

Trait identification

· Mao Zhi Mu: oblate-cylindrical, sometimes bifurcated, slightly curved, insect-like, covered with brownish-yellow hairs and leaf residue fibers. Because there are light yellow leaf marks and stem marks at the root head, the residual fiber bundle wraps the root head, so it is commonly known as Jin Bao Tou (gold head wrap). There are longitudinal grooves on the surface, the ring pattern is obvious, and the bottom is mostly bald, with oval fibrous root marks. The root is brittle and easy to break, the cross-section is yellow, the vascular bundles (tendon and vein points) are scattered, and the taste is slightly sweet and bitter. It is considered to be of better quality to have a hypertrophied body, a golden yellow beard on the outer skin, a firm and soft texture, and a yellowish-white section.

· Zhi Mu Rou: Remove the skin when it is fresh and dry it. Yellowish-white, with longitudinal wrinkles and fibrous root marks, the same as Mao Zhi Mu. It is better to have a hypertrophied strip and a yellow and white color and harder body.

Main ingredients: Contains a variety of steroidal saponins, hydrolyzed to generate saponin, and contains niacin, each gram of crude drug contains about 200μg of niacin.

Pharmachologic effect

(1) Antipyretic: The experience of the predecessors said that Zhi Mu can withdraw the heat from solid heat and deficient heat. Modern animal experiments have confirmed that raw products do have a significant antipyretic effect. Zhi Mu is different from Shi Gao, whether it is high or low heat, it has a certain clearing effect.

(2) Antibacterial: In vitro experiments have a strong inhibitory effect on typhoid bacillus, Escherichia coli and staphylococcus.

(3) Sedation: It can reduce the excitability of the nervous system. For example, paired with Huang Bai it can reduce sexual nerve excitement (called removing kidney fire); With Suan Zao Ren, it can reduce the overexcitability of the cerebral cortex and treat insomnia; With Gui Zhi, it can strengthen the analgesic effect on rheumatoid arthritis; It can be used to treat tendon twitch (i.e., twitching of muscle fibers) caused by increased neuromuscular excitability. The sedative effect of Zhi Mu on the nervous system may be related to the niacin it contains.

(4) Expectorant.

Preparation: sliced, raw or brine preparation.

Taste: bitter cold.

Meridians: into the lungs, kidneys, and stomach.

Function: relieve fever and annoyance, clear the lungs and nourish the kidneys.

Indications: fever and thirst, lung fever and cough, yin deficiency and dry heat due to Yin deficiency, characterized by sweating to the point a person feels as if their bones are steaming.

Clinical application

(1) It is used for the treatment of fever (see the Shi Gao description), supports Shi Gao, and plays an antipyretic and sedative role. For the long-term heat that occurs in summer (called Shu Nue in traditional Chinese medicine and summer fever in Western medicine), add Shi Gao, Qing Hao, Mai Dong, Bie Jia, Niu Xi, Ju Hong, etc., adding Xiao Huan Cha, Yin Hua, and Nan Dou Hua, the effect is better.

(2) It is used for the treatment of low fever from yin deficiency (fever of chronic, wasting epidemic diseases), especially characterized by low-grade fever in the afternoon. Patients feel heat evaporates from the bone (the predecessors called "bone steaming"), night sweats, and the pulse is thin and faster, and the herb can be matched with Bie Jia and Di Gu Pi. Postpartum labor fever in women can also be treated according to this principle.

(3) It is used for the treatment of hyperactivity of the kidneys (manifested as symptoms such as sperm auto-discharge, dream discharge, increased sexual nerve excitability, and sore throat, dry throat, waist and knee soreness). At this time, use Zhi Mu, with a sedative effect, but it must be accompanied by Huang Bai, such as in the formula “Zhi Bai Ba Wei Wan”. The combination of Zhi Mu and Huang Bai can enhance the nourishment of yin and reduce fire, so as to better play the role of calming nerves and eliminating inflammation.

(4) It is used for the treatment of urinary tract infections. It is especially suitable for patients with chronic pyelonephritis and "heat" born of yin deficiency and rising yang, such as in the formula “Zhi Bai Ba Wei Wan”, take it with Mao Gen decoction, or with Jin Yin Hua decoction. This prescription is more suitable for patients who have pus cells in the urine and cannot be treated with antibiotics.

(5) It is used for the treatment of stomatitis, oral ulcers, and pharyngitis, used for Yin Deficiency type symptoms. Used with Xuan Shen, Sheng Di or Lu Feng Fang, Gan Cao.

(6) It is used to treat thirst (the ancient term for diabetes). For example, when diabetic patients have signs of lung and stomach dryness such as thirst and fever, it is advisable to use Zhi Mu with Gua Lou Gen (Tian Hua Fen), Mai Dong and other Yin replenishing herbs.

In addition, Zhi Mu can be used externally to treat purple spots and allergic rashes, and the method is to add vinegar grinding juice to Zhi Mu and rub the affected area, which can promote the removal of rash.

Use caution

(1) Zhi Mu has the effect of "lubricating intestine", and it is not suitable for people with spleen deficiency and loose stools.

(2) In the past, some people thought that pregnant women should be cautious about using Zhi Mu, but in fact, as long as the syndrome differentiation is accurate (such as high fever, irritability, and red tongue during pregnancy), Zhi Mu can still be used appropriately, with other heat-clearing drugs to clear heat, remove annoyance, and stabilize the fetus.

Dosage: The usual amount is 6~12g, and the large dose is 15~24g.

Prescription examples

· Zhi Bai Ba Wei Wan ("Yizong Jinjian"): Pre-made available, can also be used as a decoction: Zhi Mu 9g, Huang Bai 6g, Shu Di 24g, Shan Yu Rou 12g, Huai Shan 12g, Fu Ling 9g, Ze Xie 9g, Dan Pi 9g, decoction in water.

Note: Mao Zhi Mu, mainly sold in East China, South China, Southwest China and exports. Zhi Mu Rou is sold in Tianjin, Beijing, North China and Northeast China.

Disclaimer: All above articles are for reference only. If patients are interested, please consult a professional practitioner Traditional Chinese Medicine for a consultation.