Use of Ze Xie (water plantain) 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: Remove impurities, soak slightly, cut in thick slices and dry.
Dosage: 6 - 10g.
Main actions according to TCM*: Causes urination and removes Damp-Heat
Primary conditions or symptoms for which Ze Xie may be prescribed by TCM doctors*: Edema Oliguria Urinary tract infection Hyperlipidemia
Contraindications*: Do not use during pregnancy or breast-feeding
Common TCM formulas in which Ze Xie is used*
Wu Ling San
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Formula key actions: Promotes urination,. Warms the Yang. Strengthens the Spleen. Promotes Qi transformation function. Drains Dampness. Clears edema.
Conditions targeted*: EdemaGlomerulonephritis and others
Ze Xie is a king ingredient in Wu Ling San. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Wu Ling San, Ze Xie leaches out Dampness and promotes urination. Its cold nature also enables it to eliminate the Stagnant Heat caused by water buildup.
Wei Ling Tang
Source date: 1481 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Formula key actions: Promotes urination. Warms the Yang. Strengthens the Spleen. Drains Dampness. Promotes the movement of Qi. Harmonizes the Stomach.
Conditions targeted*: EdemaGastritis and others
Ze Xie is a king ingredient in Wei Ling Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Wei Ling Tang, Ze Xie leaches out Dampness and promotes urination. Its cold nature helps to eliminate the Stagnant Heat caused by water buildup.
Shu Zao Yin Zi
Source date: 1253 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Formula key actions: Purges and drives out Water. Clears Wind. Releases from the Exterior .
Conditions targeted*: Nephritis with EdemaIncreased intracranial pressure and others
Ze Xie is a deputy ingredient in Shu Zao Yin Zi. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Shu Zao Yin Zi, Ze Xie is a diuretic herb that promotes urination and dispels Dampness through the Bladder.
Key TCM concepts behind Ze Xie's properties
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Ze Xie belongs to the 'Herbs that drain Dampness' category. These herbs are typically diuretics, meaning that they promotes the increased production of urine in order to remove Dampness that has accumulated in the body. According to TCM Dampness accumulates first in the lower limbs, causing edema and impaired movement. From there, if unchecked, it can move upward and impair digestion and eventually the respiratory system.
Furthermore Ze Xie is Cold in nature. This means that Ze Xie 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 Ze Xie can help restore a harmonious balance between Yin and Yang.
Ze Xie also tastes 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. Sweet ingredients like Ze Xie tends 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 Ze Xie is thought to target the Bladder and the Kidney. In TCM the impure water collected by the Kidneys that cannot be used by the body is sent to the Bladder for storage and excretion as urine. 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.
Research on Ze Xie
A new triterpenoid named alisol O was isolated from the rhizomes of Alisma orientalis and together with six known compounds and exhibited inhibitory activity in vitro on hepatitis B virus (HBV).1
Alisma orientalis methanolic extract showed hepatoprotective effects on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and may be a potential clinical application for treatment of this chronic liver disease.2
Sources:
1. ZY Jiang, XM Zhang, FX Zhang, N Liu, F Zhao et al. (2006). A New Triterpene and Anti-Hepatitis B Virus Active Compounds from Alisma orientalis. Planta Med, 72(10): 951-954. DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-947178
2. Hong, X. , Tang, H. , Wu, L. and Li, L. (2006), Protective effects of the Alisma orientalis extract on the experimental nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 58: 1391-1398. doi:10.1211/jpp.57.10.0013