Herba Dianthi Aerial Parts of Fringed Pink or Chinese Pink Dianthus
Also known as Shi Zhu Cao
Materia Medica Data
- Temperature
- Cold
- Nature & Flavour
- Bitter, Cold
- Channels Entered
- BL, HT, SI
- Latin (pharmaceutical)
- Herba Dianthi
- Chinese
- 瞿麦
- Tone Marks
- qú mài
- Also Known As
- Shi Zhu Cao
Chinese Herb Actions
- Promotes Urination, Clears Heat For any painful urination with dribbling or blood with signs of damp heat.
- Invigorates Blood For amenorrhea or cramps with blood clots due to blood stagnation. Also for gynecological swellings and sores due to toxins and damp-heat.
Chinese Herb Dosage
- 5-10 grams in decoction 12
- 9-15 grams in decoction 13
Chinese Herb Contraindications & Cautions
- Do not use during pregnancy since animal studies indicate it causes uterine contractions.
Chinese Herb Toxicity & Overdose
- None Noted
Herb-Drug Interactions
- Use with caution in patients taking diuretics since this herb promotes urination.
Western / Biomedical Research
Chinese Herb Clinical Studies & Research
Provided as research context — a summary of published biomedical study, not a therapeutic or medical claim.
- A decoction of 100 grams of Qu Mai Successfully treated edema in over 100 reported cases.
Xiang Cun Yi Xue, 1996; 11:34 - Guo Lian Fang, et al. Qu Mai’s effect on in-vivo uterus of rabbits and in-vitro uterus of rats, and its synergistic effect with prostaglandin E2.
Tianjin Journal of Medicine. 1983;(5):268-27. - Li Ding Ge et al. The diuretic effect of Qu Mai of Shandong origin.
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine Material. 1996;19(10):520-522.
Chinese Herb Notes
- Qu Mai and Bian Xu are similar in that they both treat painful, burning, and difficult urination. Qu Mai specifically aids the function of the Small Intestine to expel damp-heat and can be used for amenorrhea while Bian Xu can be used for jaundice.
Sources & References
Compiled and edited by Thomas Dehli, Founder & Editor, Sacred Lotus
The information here is referenced from numerous sources — teachers, practitioners, class notes from Five Branches University, the books below, and the published research literature, with citations given as resolvable PubMed identifiers. Where sources disagree, I have flagged the discrepancies directly. If facts couldn't be verified, I have left them out. How we source our content.
Reference information for students and practitioners — not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner. Terms of use.
Chinese Herbs Books & References
https://amzn.to/3WfB3DK
https://amzn.to/3DR1VUh
https://amzn.to/42aMz73
https://amzn.to/3PuD4bt