What patterns does He Ye Di address?

He Ye Di addresses these TCM patterns of disharmony: Summer Heat with Dampness, Spleen Qi Sinking, Blood Heat.

What conditions is He Ye Di used for?

He Ye Di is commonly used for: Diarrhea, Dysentery, Blood In Urine, Bleeding, Thin Vaginal Discharge, Threatened Miscarriage, Rectal Prolapse, Whooping Cough. A TCM practitioner would consider this herb when these conditions arise from the specific patterns it addresses.

Herb Leaf (叶 yè)

He Ye Di

Q: What are the TCM actions of He Ye Di?

The TCM actions of He Ye Di include: Clears Summer-Heat and Resolves Dampness, Dispels Stasis and Stops Bleeding, Calms the Fetus, Raises Clear Yang, Astringes to Stop Vaginal Discharge.

Lotus leaf base · 荷叶蒂

Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. · Folii Nelumbinis Petiolus cum Limbo

Also known as: He Di (荷蒂)

Images shown are for educational purposes only

He Ye Di is the central portion of the lotus leaf near the stem, used in Chinese medicine as a gentle remedy for summer digestive complaints, certain types of bleeding, and pregnancy-related discomfort. It is particularly valued for its ability to settle the stomach and support a healthy pregnancy, as well as to address diarrhea caused by summer-heat and dampness.

Category Heat-clearing herbs Herbs that clear Summer-Heat (清热解暑药)

Therapeutic focus Digestive Health Women's Health Pregnancy support Bleeding Disorders

TCM Properties

Temperature

Neutral

Taste

Bitter (苦 kǔ), Astringent (涩 sè)

Channels entered

Spleen, Liver, Large Intestine

Parts used

Leaf (叶 yè)

Educational content • Consult qualified TCM practitioners for diagnosis and treatment

What This Herb Does

Every herb has a specific set of actions — here's what He Ye Di does in the body, explained in both everyday and TCM terms

Therapeutic focus

In practical terms, He Ye Di is primarily used to support these areas of health:

Digestive Health Women's Health Pregnancy support Bleeding Disorders

TCM Actions

In TCM terminology, these are the specific therapeutic actions that He Ye Di performs to restore balance in the body:

Clears Summer-Heat and Resolves Dampness Dispels Stasis and Stops Bleeding Calms the Fetus Raises Clear Yang Astringes to Stop Vaginal Discharge

How these actions work

'Clears summer-heat and resolves dampness' means He Ye Di helps the body cope with the combined effects of summer heat and excessive moisture. In TCM, summer-heat often pairs with dampness to cause diarrhea, nausea, and a heavy, sluggish feeling. He Ye Di's bitter taste dries dampness while its neutral nature makes it gentle enough for sensitive digestive systems. This action is most relevant during the hot, humid months when people develop loose stools or an upset stomach from exposure to summer weather or overly greasy food.

'Stops bleeding and dispels stasis' refers to He Ye Di's ability to address various types of bleeding, particularly bloody dysentery, blood in the urine, and uterine bleeding (崩漏). The bitter and astringent tastes work together here: bitterness helps clear the heat that can drive blood out of its normal pathways, while astringency physically constricts and holds the blood in place. Importantly, He Ye Di does this without creating additional blood stagnation, as it also has a mild stasis-dispersing quality.

'Calms the fetus' means He Ye Di can be used during pregnancy when there are signs of a restless or threatened pregnancy, such as vaginal spotting or abdominal discomfort. This action draws on its ability to harmonize the Stomach and stop bleeding simultaneously. Classical sources specifically recommend it when yellowish vaginal discharge appears during pregnancy, a sign that damp-heat is disturbing the fetus.

'Raises clear Yang' refers to He Ye Di's lifting nature, which it shares with the whole lotus leaf (He Ye). In cases where the Spleen's ascending function is weakened, leading to chronic diarrhea or rectal prolapse, He Ye Di helps raise Qi upward. This makes it useful as a supporting herb in formulas for organ prolapse or persistent loose stools due to Spleen Qi sinking.

Patterns Addressed

In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony. He Ye Di is used to help correct these specific patterns.

Why He Ye Di addresses this pattern

He Ye Di directly addresses the combination of summer-heat and dampness that disrupts the middle burner (Spleen and Stomach). Its bitter taste dries dampness while its neutral temperature avoids further injuring the Spleen with excessive cold. By entering the Spleen and Large Intestine channels, it reaches the digestive organs most affected by this pattern. Its ascending nature also helps restore the Spleen's normal upward-transporting function, which summer-heat and dampness tend to impair, leading to diarrhea.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Diarrhea

Watery diarrhea during the summer months

Nausea

Nausea with a sensation of heaviness

Loss Of Appetite

Reduced appetite with abdominal distension

Why He Ye Di addresses this pattern

When heat enters the Blood level, it can force blood out of the vessels, causing various bleeding conditions such as bloody dysentery, blood in the urine, nosebleeds, or uterine bleeding. He Ye Di's bitter taste clears heat from the Blood while its astringent quality helps contain the blood within its vessels. Through its Liver channel affinity, it addresses the Liver's role in storing and regulating blood. The combination of cooling the blood and astringing it makes He Ye Di particularly suited for bleeding caused by heat in the lower body, including bloody stools and uterine bleeding.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Blood In Stools

Blood in stools from dysentery

Blood In Urine

Blood in the urine

Bleeding

Abnormal uterine bleeding (崩漏)

Commonly Used For

These are conditions where He Ye Di is frequently used — but only when they arise from the specific patterns it addresses, not in all cases

Arises from: Summer Heat with Dampness Spleen Qi Sinking

TCM Interpretation

In TCM, diarrhea is not a single disease but a symptom that arises from different root causes. When it occurs during the summer, it is often attributed to summer-heat combined with dampness invading the Spleen and Stomach. The Spleen, which in TCM is responsible for transforming food and fluids, becomes overwhelmed by excessive moisture and heat, losing its ability to separate the 'clear' (nutrients) from the 'turbid' (waste). This causes undigested food and excess fluid to rush downward as diarrhea. In chronic cases, the Spleen Qi itself becomes weakened and starts to sink, worsening the diarrhea over time.

Why He Ye Di Helps

He Ye Di addresses summer diarrhea through two complementary mechanisms. First, its bitter taste dries dampness and its neutral temperature resolves summer-heat without further chilling the already-struggling Spleen. Second, its ascending nature lifts the clear Yang of the Spleen upward, restoring the normal separation of clear and turbid that is essential for healthy digestion. Because it enters both the Spleen and Large Intestine channels, it reaches precisely the organs involved in this type of diarrhea. For chronic diarrhea with Qi sinking, its lifting quality supports the Spleen's ascending function, helping to firm up loose stools.

Also commonly used for

Dysentery

Bloody dysentery

Blood In Urine

Hematuria

Thin Vaginal Discharge

Excessive vaginal discharge (带下 dài xià)

Threatened Miscarriage

Restless fetus or threatened miscarriage with vaginal spotting

Rectal Prolapse

Prolapse from chronic Qi deficiency

Whooping Cough

Whooping cough in children with associated bleeding

Herb Properties

Every herb has an inherent temperature, taste, and affinity for specific channels — these properties determine how it interacts with the body

Temperature

Neutral

Taste

Bitter (苦 kǔ), Astringent (涩 sè)

Channels Entered

Spleen Liver Large Intestine

Parts Used

Leaf (叶 yè)

Dosage & Preparation

These are general dosage guidelines for He Ye Di — always follow your practitioner's recommendation, as dosages vary based on the formula and your individual condition

Standard dosage

5-10g

Maximum dosage

Up to 15g in decoction for acute bleeding conditions, under practitioner supervision.

Dosage notes

Use 5-10g in decoction for standard applications such as calming the fetus or treating diarrhea. When used to stop bleeding, the charred form (烧存性) is preferred, typically ground to powder and taken with wine or rice water rather than in decoction. For bloody dysentery or uterine bleeding, a common traditional method is to char the herb, preserving its medicinal properties, and administer 3-6g of the powder. The number of pieces used historically was described as 4-10 pieces (枚) per dose when using whole calyces.

Preparation

When used for its hemostatic (bleeding-stopping) function, He Ye Di is typically charred (烧存性), meaning it is burned until carbonized while retaining its medicinal properties, then ground into a fine powder. The powder is usually taken mixed with warm wine or rice washing water rather than decocted. For other indications such as calming the fetus or treating diarrhea, standard decoction is appropriate.

Processing Methods

In TCM, the same herb can be prepared in different ways to change its effects — here's how processing alters what He Ye Di does

Processing method

The lotus leaf calyxes are charred by calcining (烧存性): they are placed in a sealed container and heated until they turn black on the outside while retaining their medicinal properties inside. The resulting charcoal is ground into powder.

How it changes properties

Charring significantly enhances the hemostatic (bleeding-stopping) action. The original bitter and astringent tastes become more concentrated in their astringent quality. The charred form is less effective at clearing summer-heat but much stronger at stopping active bleeding. The warming effect of charring slightly shifts the originally neutral temperature toward warmth.

When to use this form

Use the charred form for active bleeding conditions such as blood in the urine, uterine bleeding (崩漏), or bloody dysentery where stopping the bleeding is the primary goal. The raw form is preferred when clearing summer-heat and dampness or calming the fetus is the main objective.

Common Herb Pairs

These ingredients are traditionally combined with He Ye Di for enhanced therapeutic effect

Ai Ye 1:1 (He Ye Di 4-6 pieces : Ai Ye 6-10g)

He Ye Di and Ai Ye (mugwort leaf) together address uterine bleeding and threatened miscarriage. He Ye Di cools blood-heat and astricts bleeding from above, while Ai Ye warms the channels and calms the uterus from below. The combination covers both heat-type and cold-type bleeding, and their shared ability to calm the fetus makes them a natural pair for pregnancy-related bleeding.

When to use: Threatened miscarriage with vaginal bleeding, or abnormal uterine bleeding where both blood-heat and uterine cold may be present.

Huang Qin He Ye Di 5-10g : Huang Qin 6-10g

He Ye Di and Huang Qin (scutellaria root) form a complementary pair for clearing heat and stopping bleeding. Huang Qin powerfully clears heat from the upper and middle burners and is a classical herb for calming the fetus, while He Ye Di's astringent quality adds physical containment of bleeding. Together they clear heat-driven bleeding more effectively than either alone.

When to use: Bleeding from blood-heat (nosebleed, uterine bleeding, bloody stool) and threatened miscarriage with signs of heat such as a yellow tongue coating or irritability.

Bai Zhu He Ye Di 5-10g : Bai Zhu 10-15g

He Ye Di and Bai Zhu (white atractylodes) pair the ascending, dampness-resolving action of He Ye Di with the Qi-tonifying, dampness-drying power of Bai Zhu. Bai Zhu strengthens the Spleen to generate Qi while He Ye Di lifts that Qi upward, correcting diarrhea caused by Spleen Qi deficiency and dampness accumulation.

When to use: Chronic diarrhea from Spleen deficiency with dampness, especially during summer or in patients with both Qi deficiency and summer-heat symptoms.

Comparable Ingredients

These ingredients have overlapping uses — here's how to tell them apart

He Ye Di vs He Ye

He Ye (whole lotus leaf) and He Ye Di (lotus leaf calyx) come from the same plant but differ in emphasis. He Ye is stronger for clearing summer-heat, raising clear Yang, and dispersing stasis, and is the standard choice for summer-heat conditions, dizziness, and blood-heat bleeding. He Ye Di is milder overall but has a more specific focus on calming the fetus and stopping vaginal discharge, making it the preferred choice in pregnancy-related conditions and gynecological bleeding.

He Ye Di vs He Geng

He Geng (lotus leaf stem) shares He Ye Di's ability to clear summer-heat and both enter similar channels. However, He Geng's primary strength lies in opening the chest and promoting the flow of Qi when there is a feeling of chest stuffiness, and it is also used to promote lactation. He Ye Di, by contrast, focuses more on stopping bleeding, calming the fetus, and addressing diarrhea. Choose He Geng for chest oppression and blocked lactation, and He Ye Di for bleeding, threatened miscarriage, or diarrhea.

Identity & Adulterants

Related species and common adulterations to be aware of when sourcing He Ye Di

He Ye Di may sometimes be confused with or substituted by the general lotus leaf (He Ye), which is the broad leaf blade rather than the specific central base portion. Though from the same plant, the leaf base and the whole leaf have somewhat different clinical emphases: He Ye Di is more specifically used for calming the fetus, stopping bleeding, and lifting sunken Qi, while He Ye is broader in clearing Summer Heat and raising Spleen Yang. The lotus leaf stalk (He Geng, 荷梗) is another closely related part that can be confused with He Ye Di but has different properties focused on opening the chest and promoting Qi circulation. Authentic He Ye Di should show the characteristic radiating leaf veins converging at a central petiole attachment point.

Educational content — always consult a qualified healthcare provider or TCM practitioner before using any herb.

Toxicity Classification

Classical Chinese pharmacopoeia toxicity rating for He Ye Di

Non-toxic

He Ye Di is classified as non-toxic and has no known toxic components of concern at standard dosages. The alkaloids present (nuciferine, nornuciferine, roemerine) occur in relatively small amounts in the leaf base and do not pose toxicity risks at typical medicinal doses.

Contraindications

Situations where He Ye Di should not be used or requires extra caution

Caution

People with Spleen and Stomach deficiency-cold (poor digestion with loose stools and cold sensations) should use with caution, as the bitter and astringent nature may further impair digestive function in cold constitutions.

Caution

Those with Qi and Blood deficiency should use with caution. As noted in classical sources regarding the parent herb He Ye, its ascending and dispersing nature can deplete those who are already weak.

Caution

Avoid in cases where upper-burner pathogenic heat is strong and the treatment strategy calls for descending and clearing, as the herb has a lifting, ascending quality that may work against such strategies.

Special Populations

Important considerations for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and pediatric use

Pregnancy

He Ye Di has been traditionally used specifically to calm restless fetus (安胎) during pregnancy, as recorded in Tang Yao's Empirical Formulas. It is one of the few herbs in the materia medica indicated for threatened miscarriage. At standard doses, it is generally considered safe during pregnancy and may even be beneficial for fetal stability. However, as with all herbs during pregnancy, it should only be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner.

Breastfeeding

No specific contraindications for breastfeeding have been documented in classical or modern sources. He Ye Di is mild and neutral in nature. Given its traditional safety profile and non-toxic classification, it is not expected to pose risks during lactation at standard doses. Nevertheless, use should be guided by a qualified practitioner.

Children

He Ye Di has been historically used in children, including for pediatric whooping cough with hemoptysis as documented in historical case records. Dosage should be reduced proportionally based on the child's age and body weight, typically one-third to one-half of the adult dose. Its mild, non-toxic nature makes it relatively safe for pediatric use under practitioner guidance.

Drug Interactions

If you are taking pharmaceutical medications, be aware of these potential interactions with He Ye Di

No well-documented drug interactions specific to He Ye Di have been established in modern pharmacological literature. However, given that the parent lotus leaf contains alkaloids such as nuciferine which have demonstrated blood pressure-lowering and vasodilatory effects in preclinical studies, concurrent use with antihypertensive medications should be approached with awareness of potential additive effects. Similarly, given its hemostatic properties, patients on anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy should exercise caution and consult their healthcare provider.

Dietary Advice

Foods and dietary considerations when taking He Ye Di

When taking He Ye Di for restless fetus or bleeding conditions, avoid cold and raw foods, spicy or greasy foods, and excessive amounts of alcohol, as these can aggravate the underlying conditions. Light, easily digestible foods such as congee and steamed vegetables are recommended. When treating summer-heat related diarrhea, avoid heavy, oily, or difficult-to-digest foods.

Botanical Description

Physical characteristics and morphology of the He Ye Di source plant

He Ye Di (荷叶蒂) is not a separate plant but rather a specific part of the lotus plant, Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn., belonging to the Nelumbonaceae (sometimes classified under Nymphaeaceae) family. It refers to the central base of the lotus leaf, the area where the leaf blade connects to the petiole (stalk). The lotus itself is an aquatic perennial herb that grows in shallow ponds, lakes, and marshes. Its round, shield-shaped leaves can reach 20 to 60 cm in diameter and rise above the water surface on long stalks up to 150 cm tall. The plant spreads via thick, creeping rhizomes in muddy lake beds and produces large, showy flowers in shades of pink and white during summer.

The medicinal part (He Ye Di) is harvested by cutting the central portion of the leaf around the petiole attachment point. When dried, it appears as a roughly circular or diamond-shaped piece about 6 to 7 cm across, with a purplish-brown or greenish-yellow upper surface bearing radiating leaf veins, and a brownish-yellow underside with the remnant of the leaf stalk base at center.

Sourcing & Harvesting

Where He Ye Di is sourced, when it's harvested or collected, and how to assess quality

Harvesting season

Summer to early autumn (July to September), when the lotus leaves are fully developed.

Primary growing regions

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is widely cultivated across China in ponds, lakes, and marshes in both northern and southern provinces. Major producing regions include Hubei (particularly the Honghu Lake area), Hunan, Jiangxi, Fujian, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Anhui provinces. Shandong and Hebei also produce lotus. There is no single narrowly defined dao di (terroir) region specifically for He Ye Di, as it is a byproduct of the widely available lotus leaf harvest. However, the lake regions of central-southern China (Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi) are traditionally considered to produce the finest quality lotus products.

Quality indicators

Good quality He Ye Di should be thick and intact, not excessively fragmented. The upper surface should be a pale greenish or greenish-yellow color (not dark brown or blackened), with visible radiating veins from the center. The underside should be yellowish-brown with a smooth sheen. The texture should be light and slightly crisp. A faint fresh, mildly bitter scent is desirable. The central area should show a clear remnant of the petiole base. Avoid pieces that are heavily discolored, moldy, or excessively thin and broken.

Classical Texts

Key passages from the classical Chinese medical texts that describe He Ye Di and its therapeutic uses

《中药学》(Textbook of Chinese Materia Medica)

Original: 荷蒂为荷叶中央近梗处剪下的叶片。性味苦平。功能和胃安胎，止血止带。可用于胎动不安及崩漏带下等症。此外，有升举之功，又可用于清气下陷之久泻脱肛等症。

Translation: "He Di is the leaf piece cut from the central area of the lotus leaf near the stalk. Its nature is bitter and neutral. Its functions are to harmonize the Stomach, calm the fetus, stop bleeding, and stop vaginal discharge. It may be used for restless fetus, uterine bleeding, and vaginal discharge. In addition, it has a lifting effect and can be used for chronic diarrhea and rectal prolapse caused by sinking of clear Qi."

《唐瑶经验方》(Tang Yao's Empirical Formulas)

Original: 治妊娠胎动，已见黄水者：干荷蒂一枚。炙，研为末，糯米淘汁一盏调服。

Translation: "For restless fetus during pregnancy, when yellowish fluid has appeared: take one dried lotus leaf calyx (He Ye Di). Toast it, grind to powder, and take mixed with one cup of glutinous rice washing water."

《普济方》(Pu Ji Fang)

Original: 治血痢：荷叶蒂水煮服之。

Translation: "For bloody dysentery: boil lotus leaf calyx (He Ye Di) in water and drink it."

《贵州省中医验方秘方》(Guizhou Province TCM Empirical Formulas)

Original: 治小便出血：荷叶蒂七枚，烧存性，酒调服。

Translation: "For blood in the urine: char seven lotus leaf calyces (He Ye Di), preserving their medicinal properties. Mix the powder with wine and take orally."

Historical Context

The history and evolution of He Ye Di's use in Chinese medicine over the centuries

He Ye Di (荷叶蒂) is a lesser-known but historically valued medicinal part of the lotus plant. While the lotus leaf (He Ye) and lotus seed (Lian Zi) have always received the most attention in classical texts, the leaf base or calyx was recognized early on for its distinct therapeutic properties. A comprehensive textual study on lotus-derived medicines confirms that nearly every part of the lotus plant has been used medicinally since ancient times, including the leaf base (荷叶蒂), each with different clinical applications.

The name "He Ye Di" (荷叶蒂) literally means "lotus leaf base" or "lotus leaf calyx," referring to the part of the leaf where it attaches to the stalk. Classical physicians noted that this part, being at the junction of the leaf and stem, possessed a particular ability to "hold" and stabilize, making it especially suitable for calming restless fetus and stopping uterine bleeding. Tang Yao's Empirical Formulas (唐瑶经验方) recorded its use for threatened miscarriage. The Pu Ji Fang (普济方), a massive Ming Dynasty medical encyclopedia, documented its use for bloody dysentery. Its association with the Spleen and its ascending, lifting quality also led to its use for chronic diarrhea and rectal prolapse due to sinking of clear Qi. The lotus as a whole holds deep cultural significance in Chinese civilization, symbolizing purity, spiritual enlightenment, and the ability to rise from muddy waters untainted.

Modern Research

3 published studies investigating the pharmacological effects or clinical outcomes of He Ye Di

Review: Research Advances in Lotus Leaf as Chinese Dietary Herbal Medicine (2022)

Lotus Leaf Review, Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2022

A comprehensive review covering the phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of lotus leaf (Nelumbo nucifera), the parent plant of He Ye Di. The review found that alkaloids (particularly nuciferine) and flavonoids are the main bioactive components, with demonstrated anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cardiovascular protective, anticancer, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, antiviral, antimicrobial, and hemostatic activities.

PubMed

Review: Nuciferine for Potential Treatment of Obesity and Obesity-Related Diseases (2021)

Pharmacological Research, 2022, Vol 175, 106002

This review summarized evidence that nuciferine, the primary aporphine alkaloid in lotus leaf, shows anti-obesity, anti-dyslipidemia, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor effects through multiple mechanisms including regulation of metabolic pathways, modulation of gut microbiota, and Ca2+ flux modulation. Clinical application, pharmacokinetics, and safety data support its potential as an anti-obesity agent.

PubMed

Preclinical study: Vasodilatory Activity of Lotus Leaf Extract and Nuciferine on Rat Thoracic Aorta (2022)

Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2022, Vol 13, 1007467

This study identified nuciferine as the main vasodilatory compound in lotus leaf extract. Nuciferine promoted blood vessel relaxation through multiple targets including the NO signaling pathway, K+ channels, Ca2+ channels, and adrenergic receptors. The compound showed low cytotoxicity and endothelial protective effects, suggesting cardiovascular benefits.

PubMed

Research on individual TCM herbs is growing but still limited by Western clinical trial standards. These studies provide emerging evidence and should be considered alongside practitioner expertise.