Qu Mai (Aerial Parts of Fringed Pink or Chinese Pink Dianthus)

Herb 21 of 28 in Herbs that Regulate Water and Drain Dampness

Channels:

BL, HT, SI

Properties:

Bitter, Cold

Latin:

Herba Dianthi

Chinese:

瞿麦

Tone Marks:

qú mài

Alt Names:

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 Contraindications & Cautions

• Do not use during pregnancy since animal studies indicate it causes uterine contractions.

Herb-Drug Interactions

• Use with caution in patients taking diuretics since this herb promotes urination.

Chinese Herb Toxicity & Overdose

• None Noted
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Chinese Herb Dosage

• 5-10 grams in decoction ¹²
• 9-15 grams in decoction ¹³

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.

Chinese Herb Clinical Studies & Research

• 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.

This Herb Appears in the Following Formulas:

• Ba Zheng San (Eight Herb Powder for Rectification)
  Category: Formulas that Clear Damp-Heat