Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena Rhizome)

Herb 13 of 14 in Herbs that Drain Fire

Channels:

LU, ST, KI

Properties:

Bitter, Cold

Latin:

Rhizoma Anemarrhenae Aspheloidis

Chinese:

知母

Tone Marks:

zhī mŭ

Translation:

Know About Mother

Chinese Herb Actions

• Clears Heat in the Qi Level
  For high fever. irritability, and a rapid and flooding pulse. Very effective at clearing heat in the stomach and Lungs, with intense thirst and thick yellow sputum.
• Moistens Dryness and Nourishes Yin
  For Lung and Kidney Yin deficiency with night sweats, five centers heat, afternoon fevers, steaming bone fever, or irritability. Also for spermatorrhea and leakage of vital essence.
• Generates Fluids
  For thirst, dry and ulcerated mouth, dry throat, and for wasting and thirsting disorder.

Chinese Herb Contraindications & Cautions

• Do not use in cases of Cold from Spleen and Stomach Deficiency, or with diarrhea.

Herb-Drug Interactions

• May interfere with Anti-Diabetic drugs.

Chinese Herb Toxicity & Overdose

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Chinese Herb Dosage

• 6-12 grams.
• Part used: rhizome.

Chinese Herb Notes

• Frying in saltwater will strengthen ability to benefit the kidneys and will direct the actions of a formula downward.

Chinese Herb Combinations:

1. Bai He (Bulbus Lilii)
2. Zhi Mu (Rhizoma Anemarrhenae Aspheloidis)

Combined Actions:

• Nourish Yin and Clear Heat

Combined Indications:

• Mental agitation, insomnia, vertigo
• Dry cough

Preparation:

• Honey fry Bai He for dry cough and use raw Bai He for agitation and insomnia.

This Herb Appears in the Following Formulas:

• Bai Hu Tang (White Tiger Decoction)
  Category: Formulas that Clear Heat from the Qi Level
• Da Bu Yin Wan (Great Tonify the Yin Pill)
  Category: Formulas that Nourish and Tonify the Yin
• Da Yuan Yin (Reach the Membrane Source Decoction)
  Category: Formulas that Harmonize Lesser Yang-stage Disorders
• Er Xian Tang (Two Immortal Decoction)
  Category: Formulas that Warm and Tonify the Yang
• Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang (Cinnamon Twig, Peony, and Anemarrhena Decoction)
  Category: Formulas that Dispel Wind-Dampness
• Hu Qian Wan (Hidden Tiger Pill)
  Category: Formulas that Nourish and Tonify the Yin
• Qing Gu San (Cool the Bones Powder)
  Category: Formulas that Clear Heat from Deficiency
• Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang (Artemisia Annua and Soft Shelled Turtle Shell Decoction)
  Category: Formulas that Clear Heat from Deficiency
• Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang (Clear Summerheat and Augment the Qi Decoction)
  Category: Formulas that Relieve Summerheat
• Qing Wen Bai Du Yin (Clear Epidemics and Overcome Toxins Decoction)
  Category: Formulas that Clear Heat and Relieve Toxicity
• Ren Shen Ge Jie San (Ginseng and Gecko Powder)
  Category: Formulas that Tonify the Qi
• Suan Zao Ren Tang (Sour Jujube Decoction)
  Category: Formulas that Nourish the Heart and Calm the Spirit
• Xiao Feng San (Eliminate Wind Powder from True Lineage)
  Category: Formulas that Release Wind from the Skin and Channels
• Yu Nu Jian (Jade Woman Decoction)
  Category: Formulas that Clear Heat from the Organs
• Yu Ye Tang (Jade Fluid Decoction)
  Category: Formulas that Enrich the Yin and Moisten Dryness
• Zhong Man Fen Xiao Wan (Separate and Reduce Fullness in the Middle Pill)
  Category: Formulas that Clear Damp-Heat