Use of Zhi Mu (anemarrhena rhizomes) in TCM
Please note that you should never self-prescribe TCM ingredients. A TCM ingredient is almost never eaten on its own but as part of a formula containing several ingredients that act together. Please consult a professional TCM practitioner, they will be best able to guide you.
Preparation: Slice the root and dry it in a moisture-free room.
Dosage: 6 - 12 grams
Main actions according to TCM*: Clears Heat and Fire from the Qi level. Clears Heat and Fire from the Lung and Stomach. Clears Heat and tonifies the Yin.
Primary conditions or symptoms for which Zhi Mu may be prescribed by TCM doctors*: Fever Dry mouth Dry cough Constipation Night sweats Hypersexuality Bleeding gums
Contraindications*: This herb should not be used by those with Spleen Deficiency with loose stools and/ or diarrhea. It should also be avoided for Yin Deficiency Heat (because it clears Excess) and should only be used for Wind-Heat conditions.
Common TCM formulas in which Zhi Mu is used*
Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan
Zhi Mu is a king ingredient in Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan, Zhi Mu is bitter and cooling. It removes excess Heat from the body.
Qing Wen Bai Du Yin
Source date: 1794 AD
Number of ingredients: 14 herbs
Formula key actions: Drains Fire. Resolves Toxicity. Dries Dampness.
Conditions targeted*: MeningitisEncephalitis B and others
Zhi Mu is a king ingredient in Qing Wen Bai Du Yin. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Qing Wen Bai Du Yin, Zhi Mu clears Heat from the Qi level according to the Four Level Theory.
San Zhong Kui Jian Tang
Source date: 1336 AD
Number of ingredients: 17 herbs
Formula key actions: Clears Heat and resolves Toxicity. Reduces swelling. Induces ulceration. Moves the Blood and dispels stasis .
Conditions targeted*: GoiterScrofula and others
Zhi Mu is a king ingredient in San Zhong Kui Jian Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In San Zhong Kui Jian Tang, Zhi Mu clears Heat while also protecting Yin that is susceptible to damage from the Heat
accumulation and the bitter, drying herbs in the formula. The combination of Anemarrhena rhizome, Platycodon root and Snake gourd root is very effect in performing this task.
It, together with the other bitter and downward herbs, also directs Fire to descend and cease its attack on the upper body, and sweeps Phlegm-Heat downward.
Key TCM concepts behind Zhi Mu's properties
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Zhi Mu belongs to the 'Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat' category. Herbs in this category are used to clear inflammatory and infectious conditions, referred to as 'Internal Heat' in TCM. This is why most of the herbs in this category will have both antibacterial and antiviral properties. In TCM one has too much 'Internal Heat' in their body as a result of a deficiency of 'Yin' (which is Cold in nature, see our explanation on Yin and Yang) or, more commonly, an Excess of Yang (Hot in nature). Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire treat the latter and as such tend to be Cold or Neutral in nature.
As suggested by its category Zhi Mu is Cold in nature. This means that Zhi Mu typically helps people who have too much 'Heat' in their body. Balance between Yin and Yang is a key health concept in TCM. Those who have too much Heat in their body are said to either have a Yang Excess (because Yang is Hot in nature) or a Yin deficiency (Yin is Cold in Nature). Depending on your condition Zhi Mu can help restore a harmonious balance between Yin and Yang.
Zhi Mu also tastes Bitter and Sweet. The so-called 'Five Phases' theory in Chinese Medicine states that the taste of TCM ingredients is a key determinant of their action in the body. Bitter ingredients like Zhi Mu tends to have a cleansing action on the body by clearing Heat, drying Dampness and promoting elimination via urination or bowel movements. On the other hand Sweet ingredients tend to slow down acute reactions and detoxify the body. They also have a tonic effect because they replenish Qi and Blood.
The tastes of ingredients in TCM also determine what Organs and Meridians they target. As such Zhi Mu is thought to target the Kidney, the Lung and the Stomach. According to TCM, the Kidneys do not only regulate the urinary system but also play a key role in the reproductive system and the growth and aging process of the body. In addition to performing respiration, the Lungs are thought in TCM to be a key part of the production chain for Qi and the Body Fluids that nourish the body. The Stomach is responsible for receiving and ripening ingested food and fluids. It is also tasked with descending the digested elements downwards to the Small Intestine.
Research on Zhi Mu
Diabetic mice treated with Anemarrhena asphodeloides (AA) had significantly reduced blood glucose levels in an insulin tolerance test. Based on these results, the antidiabetic mechanism of AA may be due to decreased insulin resistance.1
Steroidal saponins of Anemarrhena asphodeloides prevented ovariectomy-induced bone loss in rats through the promotion of bone formation.2
Sources:
1. T Miura, H Ichiki, N Iwamoto, M Kato et al. (2001). Antidiabetic Activity of the Rhizoma of Anemarrhena asphodeloides and Active Components, Mangiferin and Its Glucoside. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 24(9): 1009-1011. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1248/bpb.24.1009
2. H Nian, L Qin, W Chen, Q Zhang, H Zheng et al. (2006). Protective effect of steroidal saponins from rhizome of Anemarrhena asphodeloides on ovariectomy-induced bone loss in rats. Acta Pharmacologica Sinica, 27:728–734. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-7254.2006.00328.x