Herb Resin / Sap (树脂 shù zhī / 汁 zhī)

Zhu Li

Bamboo sap · 竹沥

Phyllostachys nigra (Lodd. ex Lindl.) Munro var. henonis (Mitf.) Stapf ex Rendle · Succus Bambusae

Also known as: Zhu You (竹油), Dan Zhu Li (淡竹沥)

Bamboo sap is a liquid obtained by fire-roasting fresh bamboo stems. It is one of the strongest phlegm-clearing substances in the Chinese herbal tradition, classically called the 'sage remedy for phlegm disorders.' It is primarily used for thick, sticky phlegm caused by heat, particularly in conditions involving cough, breathing difficulty, or neurological symptoms like stroke-related paralysis and loss of consciousness.

Category Heat-clearing herbs Phlegm-resolving herbs
Therapeutic focus Respiratory health Neurological health Stroke recovery

TCM Properties

Temperature

Cold

Taste

Sweet (甘 gān), Bitter (苦 kǔ)

Channels entered

Heart, Lungs, Liver

Parts used

Resin / Sap (树脂 shù zhī / 汁 zhī)

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 Zhu Li does in the body, explained in both everyday and TCM terms

Therapeutic focus

In practical terms, Zhu Li is primarily used to support these areas of health:

Respiratory health Neurological health Stroke recovery

TCM Actions

In TCM terminology, these are the specific therapeutic actions that Zhu Li performs to restore balance in the body:

Clears Heat and resolves Phlegm Opens the orifices Settles fright and stops convulsions Penetrates the channels and collaterals Moistens dryness

How these actions work

'Clears Heat and resolves Phlegm' is the core action of Zhú Lì. In TCM, phlegm is a thick, turbid substance that can accumulate in the lungs (causing cough with sticky yellow sputum), in the chest (causing tightness and difficulty breathing), or even cloud the mind (causing confusion or loss of consciousness). Zhú Lì's cold nature and slippery texture make it especially powerful at dissolving hot, thick phlegm that other herbs cannot reach. The classical text Ben Cao Yan Yi praised it as being able to address phlegm anywhere in the body: at the vertex, in the chest, in the limbs, in the organs and channels, or between the skin and membranes.

'Opens the orifices' means Zhú Lì can restore consciousness and mental clarity when thick phlegm blocks the sensory openings. This is relevant in emergencies like stroke where a person suddenly loses the ability to speak or becomes unconscious, which TCM attributes to phlegm obstructing the Heart orifice.

'Settles fright and stops convulsions' refers to its use in childhood febrile convulsions and epilepsy, where heat-generated phlegm disturbs the spirit and triggers spasms. Its cold, settling nature calms these episodes.

'Penetrates the channels and collaterals' is a distinctive property. Unlike most phlegm-resolving herbs that work mainly in the lungs or stomach, Zhú Lì has a unique ability to travel through the body's network of channels, reaching phlegm lodged in the limbs and extremities. This is why it is used for post-stroke paralysis and limb spasms, and why it is classically paired with ginger juice, which further enhances this penetrating action.

Patterns Addressed

In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony. Zhu Li is used to help correct these specific patterns.

Why Zhu Li addresses this pattern

When Heat condenses the body's fluids into thick, sticky phlegm that lodges in the Lungs, it causes coughing with yellow viscous sputum, chest congestion, and labored breathing. Zhú Lì's cold nature directly counters the Heat, while its sweet, slippery quality dissolves and dislodges stubborn hot phlegm. It enters the Lung channel, making it highly effective for this pattern. Its moistening action also addresses the dryness that Heat creates in the airways.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Cough

Productive cough with thick yellow sputum that is difficult to expectorate

Chest Tightness

Sensation of fullness and stuffiness in the chest

Wheezing

Wheezing and shortness of breath from phlegm obstruction

Commonly Used For

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

Arises from: Phlegm-Heat veiling the Pericardium

TCM Interpretation

In TCM, what Western medicine calls a stroke is most often understood as 'wind-stroke' (zhong feng). The acute phase, with sudden collapse, loss of consciousness, locked jaw, and inability to speak, is attributed to phlegm and internal Wind rushing upward to block the Heart orifice and obstruct the channels. The phlegm prevents the spirit (Shen) from governing the body, while channel obstruction leads to paralysis of the limbs. When Heat is the driving force, the phlegm becomes thick and sticky, making it harder to resolve.

Why Zhu Li Helps

Zhú Lì is one of the most important herbs for the acute phlegm-obstruction phase of stroke. Its cold, slippery nature powerfully dissolves hot phlegm blocking the Heart orifice, helping restore consciousness and speech. Uniquely among phlegm-resolving herbs, Zhú Lì penetrates deeply into the channels and collaterals, which is why it is used for the limb paralysis and spasms that follow stroke. Classical sources consistently recommend combining it with ginger juice to enhance its channel-penetrating ability while preventing its extreme cold from damaging the Stomach.

Also commonly used for

Epilepsy

Seizure disorders attributed to phlegm-heat disturbing the spirit

Pneumonia

With chest congestion, thick phlegm, and high fever

Bronchitis

Acute bronchitis with heat signs and copious thick sputum

Convulsions

Febrile convulsions in children

Wheezing

Wheezing and dyspnea from phlegm-heat in the lungs

Meningitis

With high fever, loss of consciousness, and phlegm obstruction

Herb Properties

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

Temperature

Cold

Taste

Sweet (甘 gān), Bitter (苦 kǔ)

Channels Entered

Heart Lungs Liver

Parts Used

Resin / Sap (树脂 shù zhī / 汁 zhī)

Dosage & Preparation

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

Standard dosage

30–60g

Maximum dosage

Up to 60g (roughly 60 ml) in a single administration for acute conditions with heavy Phlegm-Heat obstruction. Some classical sources describe even larger single doses for critical situations such as wind-stroke with loss of consciousness.

Dosage notes

Zhu Li is a liquid, not a dried herb, so it is not decocted in the usual sense. The standard dose of 30 to 60g (ml) is taken by mouth, either on its own slightly warmed, or mixed into a decoction or pill formulation. It is very commonly combined with a small amount of fresh ginger juice (about 3 to 5 ml per dose) to counterbalance its extreme coldness and help guide it through the channels. As Zhu Danxi stated, without ginger juice it cannot effectively travel through the channels to reach lodged Phlegm. For milder conditions or maintenance, use the lower end of the range (30g). For acute Phlegm-Heat obstruction, stroke-related unconsciousness, or convulsions, the higher end (50 to 60g) is appropriate.

Preparation

Zhu Li is not decocted. It is a ready-to-use liquid: fresh bamboo stalks are cut into 30 to 50 cm segments, split open, suspended over a fire, and the sap that drips from the ends is collected. It is taken directly by mouth (slightly warmed), mixed into other decoctions after straining, or used to wash down pills and powders. It is often combined with a small amount of fresh ginger juice before administration. Since it spoils easily, it should be used fresh. For longer storage, it can be concentrated by simmering into a paste (Zhu Li Gao) or sealed in sterilised ampoules.

Common Herb Pairs

These ingredients are traditionally combined with Zhu Li for enhanced therapeutic effect

Sheng Jiang
Sheng Jiang Zhú Lì 30-50ml : Shēng Jiāng Zhī 3-5ml (roughly 10:1)

Ginger juice (Shēng Jiāng Zhī) is the most classical pairing with Zhú Lì. The warm, acrid ginger offsets the extreme cold of bamboo sap, protecting the Stomach from cold damage. At the same time, ginger's dispersing quality enhances Zhú Lì's ability to penetrate into the channels and collaterals, reaching phlegm lodged in the limbs and between the membranes. Together they clear phlegm more effectively than either alone.

When to use: Whenever Zhú Lì is used in significant doses, especially for stroke with phlegm obstruction, post-stroke paralysis, or when the patient's digestion is weak. The Dan Xi Xin Fa states that bamboo sap cannot move through the channels without ginger juice.

Da
Dan Nan Xing 1:1 (Dǎn Nán Xīng 3-5g : Zhú Lì 30-50ml)

Dǎn Nán Xīng (bile-processed Arisaema) dissolves stubborn wind-phlegm and calms convulsions, while Zhú Lì clears the heat component and opens the orifices. Together they powerfully address phlegm-heat combined with internal Wind, tackling both the phlegm substance and the heat driving it.

When to use: For childhood febrile convulsions and epilepsy where hot phlegm combines with Liver Wind, causing seizures, locked jaw, and loss of consciousness.

Gua Lou
Gua Lou Guā Lóu 10-15g : Zhú Lì 30-50ml

Guā Lóu clears Lung heat, loosens the chest, and transforms phlegm, complementing Zhú Lì's powerful phlegm-dissolving and heat-clearing action. Together they open the chest, clear stubborn hot phlegm from the lungs, and relieve coughing and breathing difficulty more thoroughly than either herb alone.

When to use: For severe phlegm-heat cough with chest congestion, thick sticky yellow sputum, and a stifling sensation in the chest.

Comparable Ingredients

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

Tian Zhu Huang
Zhu Li vs Tian Zhu Huang

Both Zhú Lì and Tiān Zhú Huáng clear heat and resolve phlegm from the Heart. However, Zhú Lì is much colder and more slippery, acts faster, and directly enters the channels and collaterals, making it superior for dislodging stubborn phlegm and opening the orifices in acute conditions like stroke. Tiān Zhú Huáng is milder (slightly cold), slower-acting, and better at calming the spirit and controlling palpitations and anxiety, making it preferred for children and less acute situations. In practice, Tiān Zhú Huáng often substitutes for Zhú Lì outside China where the liquid sap is unavailable.

Zhu Ru
Zhu Li vs Zhu Ru

Both come from the bamboo plant and both clear heat and resolve phlegm. Zhú Rú (bamboo shavings) is only slightly cold, enters the Lung, Stomach, and Gallbladder channels, and has an additional action of harmonizing the Stomach to stop vomiting. Zhú Lì is much colder, more slippery, and far more powerful at dissolving hot phlegm, penetrating into the channels, and opening the orifices. Choose Zhú Rú for milder phlegm-heat conditions or when nausea and vomiting are prominent. Choose Zhú Lì for severe, stubborn phlegm-heat blocking consciousness or lodged in the extremities.

Therapeutic Substitutes

Legitimate clinical replacements when Zhu Li is unavailable, restricted, or contraindicated

Tian Zhu Huang

Tian Zhu Huang
Tian Zhu Huang 天竺黄
Tabasheer

Covers: Covers Zhú Lì's core heat-clearing and phlegm-resolving actions, particularly for phlegm-heat blocking the Heart orifice causing convulsions, epilepsy, and loss of consciousness. Shares the same general therapeutic direction of clearing hot phlegm from the Heart.

Does not cover: Milder and slower-acting than Zhú Lì. Lacks the strong slippery, channel-penetrating quality that makes Zhú Lì effective for post-stroke limb paralysis and phlegm lodged in the extremities. Less moistening, so weaker for dry, tenacious phlegm. Does not match Zhú Lì's intensity for acute phlegm obstruction emergencies.

Use when: When Zhú Lì (a liquid product) is unavailable, which is common outside of China. Multiple authoritative sources document Tiān Zhú Huáng as the standard substitute. Particularly suitable for pediatric cases where the milder, calming nature is actually preferable.

Identity & Adulterants

Related species and common adulterations to be aware of when sourcing Zhu Li

Zhu Li can be confused with bamboo vinegar (竹醋液, Zhu Cu Ye), which is a completely different product made by dry distillation of bamboo at very high temperatures to produce charcoal. Bamboo vinegar is acidic and has different chemical composition and medicinal properties. Commercially available "Xian Zhu Li" (鲜竹沥) oral liquid products may contain added preservatives such as benzoic acid, ethylparaben, and sorbic acid, and one study suggested these preservatives may contribute more to the perceived cough-relief effect than the bamboo juice itself. Different bamboo species yield slightly different compositions: the standard source is Dan Zhu (淡竹, Phyllostachys nigra var. henonis), but Ku Zhu (苦竹) and Ci Zhu (慈竹) sap are also used historically. The related substance Zhu Ru (竹茹, bamboo shavings) is sometimes conflated with Zhu Li, though Zhu Ru is a solid material scraped from the inner bamboo stalk with milder, less penetrating action.

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

Toxicity Classification

Classical Chinese pharmacopoeia toxicity rating for Zhu Li

Non-toxic

Contraindications

Situations where Zhu Li should not be used or requires extra caution

Avoid

Cold-Phlegm or Damp-Phlegm patterns (寒饮湿痰). Zhu Li is very cold in nature and will worsen conditions where Phlegm arises from Spleen Yang deficiency or internal Cold rather than Heat.

Avoid

Spleen deficiency with loose stools or diarrhea (脾虚便溏). The cold, slippery nature of Zhu Li further damages weak Spleen Yang and worsens diarrhea.

Caution

Cold constitution without Heat signs. As Li Shizhen warned, it is only appropriate for Phlegm arising from Wind, Fire, Dryness, or Heat. Those with a cold, weak digestive system may suffer injury to the Stomach and intestines.

Caution

Cough due to Wind-Cold exterior invasion without interior Heat transformation. The cold nature of Zhu Li is inappropriate for acute Cold-type respiratory conditions.

Special Populations

Important considerations for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and pediatric use

Pregnancy

Classical sources indicate that Zhu Li was used during pregnancy for the condition known as "zi fan" (子烦, fetal vexation), a pattern of persistent restlessness and Heat during pregnancy. The Mei Shi Ji Yan Fang recorded using Zhu Li with Fu Ling to treat this condition. Zhu Danxi's Ben Cao Yan Yi Bu Yi specifically argued that Zhu Li does not harm the mother before birth or the child after birth. However, its very cold and slippery nature means it should only be used during pregnancy under professional guidance, specifically when there are clear signs of Heat. It should be avoided in pregnant women with Spleen Yang deficiency, cold constitution, or loose stools.

Breastfeeding

No specific classical or modern contraindications have been documented for Zhu Li during breastfeeding. However, its cold nature could theoretically affect the nursing mother's digestion and Spleen function, which in TCM is considered essential for milk production. Breastfeeding mothers with cold constitutions or weak digestion should avoid it. Use during breastfeeding should be guided by a qualified practitioner.

Children

Zhu Li has a long history of use in pediatric conditions, particularly childhood convulsions (惊风) and high fever. Classical formulas combine it with ginger juice, Dan Nan Xing, and Niu Huang for pediatric Wind-stroke convulsions. For children, doses are reduced proportionally by age and body weight, typically one-third to one-half of the adult dose. Its liquid form makes it relatively easy to administer to children. It should only be used in children showing clear Heat signs (high fever, thick yellow phlegm, flushed face) and must be avoided in children with cold-type coughs or weak digestion.

Drug Interactions

If you are taking pharmaceutical medications, be aware of these potential interactions with Zhu Li

No well-documented pharmacological drug interactions have been established for Zhu Li in the peer-reviewed literature. Its chemical composition consists primarily of carbohydrates, amino acids, and small organic acids (salicylic acid, benzoic acid), which suggests a low interaction risk. However, the presence of salicylic acid in small amounts means that in theory, high-dose or prolonged use could have an additive effect with antiplatelet or anticoagulant medications, though this has not been clinically demonstrated. Patients taking blood-thinning medications should inform their practitioner.

Commercially produced Xian Zhu Li oral liquids may contain preservatives (benzoic acid, sorbic acid, ethylparaben), which could interact with medications metabolised by similar hepatic pathways. Patients on multiple medications should use traditionally prepared Zhu Li rather than commercial oral liquid products when possible.

Dietary Advice

Foods and dietary considerations when taking Zhu Li

While taking Zhu Li, avoid cold, raw, and greasy foods that could further burden the Spleen and impair digestion, since Zhu Li is already very cold in nature. Avoid excessive dairy, fried foods, and sugary foods that are considered Phlegm-generating in TCM. Warm, easily digestible foods such as congee, cooked vegetables, and ginger tea are advisable, especially to offset the cold nature of the medicine. Avoid alcohol, which generates Damp-Heat and can interfere with the Phlegm-clearing action.

Botanical Description

Physical characteristics and morphology of the Zhu Li source plant

Zhu Li (竹沥) is not a plant part in the usual sense but rather the liquid sap exuded from freshly cut bamboo stems when heated over fire. The primary source plant is Henon bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra var. henonis), also known as Dan Zhu (淡竹), a tall perennial evergreen grass of the Poaceae family. It grows 5 to 15 metres tall, forming dense groves with slender, upright, smooth green culms that may reach 3 to 5 cm in diameter. The culms bear two branches per node, and the lance-shaped leaves are 4.5 to 12.5 cm long with a deep green upper surface. Other bamboo species used include Qing Gan Zhu (Bambusa tuldoides) and Da Tou Dian Zhu (Sinocalamus beecheyanus var. pubescens). Bamboo thrives in warm, humid climates with well-drained, fertile soil.

Sourcing & Harvesting

Where Zhu Li is sourced, when it's harvested or collected, and how to assess quality

Harvesting season

Fresh bamboo stalks can be harvested year-round, but are typically collected in late spring through autumn when the culms are most vigorous and sap-rich. The Zhu Li is produced immediately from fresh, green bamboo by fire-roasting, so production is linked to the availability of fresh culms rather than a specific narrow harvest window.

Primary growing regions

The source bamboo species (primarily Phyllostachys nigra var. henonis) is distributed throughout the Yangtze River basin and southward in China. Major production regions include Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hunan, Sichuan, Fujian, and Guangdong provinces, as well as Shandong and Henan. Because Zhu Li is produced by heating fresh bamboo (not a dried herbal material), it is typically prepared near bamboo growing areas. There is no single dominant dao di production region, as quality depends more on the freshness of the bamboo and the skill of the fire-roasting process than on terroir.

Quality indicators

Good quality Zhu Li is a clear, transparent liquid with a pale yellowish or yellowish-brown colour. It should have a distinctive light bamboo fragrance (sometimes described as slightly smoky or charred from the fire-roasting process). The taste is mildly sweet. Turbid, dark-coloured, or foul-smelling liquid indicates poor quality or deterioration. Since Zhu Li is a fresh liquid product, it does not keep well and should ideally be used soon after preparation. For storage, it can be boiled down into a thicker paste called Zhu Li Gao (竹沥膏), or sealed in sterile ampoules.

Classical Texts

Key passages from the classical Chinese medical texts that describe Zhu Li and its therapeutic uses

《名医别录》(Supplement to the Classified Materta Medica)

Original: 气味甘，大寒无毒，主治暴中风，风痹，胸中大热，止烦闷，消渴劳复。

Translation: Sweet in flavour and greatly cold in nature, non-toxic. It treats sudden wind-stroke, Wind-Painful Obstruction, great Heat in the chest, stops vexation and oppression, and addresses wasting-thirst and relapse from taxation.

《本草衍义》(Extended Meanings of the Materia Medica)

Original: 竹沥行痰，通达上下百骸毛窍诸处，如痰在巅顶可降，痰在胸膈可开，痰在四肢可散，痰在脏腑经络可利，痰在皮里膜外可行。又如癫痫狂乱，风热发痉者可定；痰厥失音，人事昏迷者可省，为痰家之圣剂也。

Translation: Zhu Li moves Phlegm and reaches throughout the entire body, to every bone, pore, and orifice. If Phlegm is at the crown of the head, it can bring it down; if in the chest and diaphragm, it can open it; if in the four limbs, it can disperse it; if in the organs and channels, it can free it; if between the skin and membranes, it can mobilise it. For epilepsy and mania, or Wind-Heat convulsions, it can calm them; for Phlegm-reversal with loss of voice and clouding of consciousness, it can revive awareness. It is the sage remedy among all Phlegm treatments.

《本草纲目》(Compendium of Materia Medica) — Li Shizhen

Original: 竹沥性寒而滑，大抵因风火燥热而有痰者宜之；若寒湿胃虚肠滑之人服之，则反伤肠胃。

Translation: Zhu Li is cold and slippery in nature. Generally, it is suitable for those who have Phlegm arising from Wind, Fire, Dryness, or Heat. If taken by those with Cold-Damp, a weak Stomach, or slippery intestines, it will instead injure the digestive system.

《丹溪心法》(Danxi's Methods of the Heart) — Zhu Danxi

Original: 竹沥滑痰，非姜汁不能行经络。

Translation: Zhu Li slides away Phlegm, but without ginger juice it cannot travel through the channels and collaterals.

Historical Context

The history and evolution of Zhu Li's use in Chinese medicine over the centuries

Zhu Li was first documented in the Ming Yi Bie Lu (名医别录), compiled during the Southern and Northern Dynasties period (around the 5th century CE), and was also recorded in the Ben Cao Jing Ji Zhu (本草经集注) by Tao Hongjing. Its clinical use thus spans over 1,500 years. The classical method of preparation, described in Sun Simiao's Bei Ji Qian Jin Yao Fang (备急千金要方) from the Tang Dynasty, involves cutting fresh bamboo into segments, splitting them open, suspending them over a fire, and collecting the liquid that drips from the ends. This elegant technique of extracting medicine by fire from living bamboo captured the imagination of generations of physicians.

The most celebrated classical characterization of Zhu Li comes from the Ben Cao Yan Yi (本草衍义), which declared it the "sage remedy for all Phlegm disorders" (痰家之圣剂). Zhu Danxi (朱丹溪), the great Yuan Dynasty physician, made the important clinical observation that Zhu Li must be paired with ginger juice to guide it through the channels, otherwise its cold, slippery nature cannot reach the Phlegm lodged in distant parts of the body. This Zhu Li-ginger juice pairing became one of the most well-known drug combinations in TCM. Li Shizhen in the Ben Cao Gang Mu further clarified its appropriate use, warning against giving it to patients with Cold-Damp constitutions. The name "Zhu Li" literally means "bamboo drippings," evoking the image of clear sap slowly dripping from heated bamboo.

Modern Research

2 published studies investigating the pharmacological effects or clinical outcomes of Zhu Li

1

Identification and Quantitation of the Actual Active Components in Bamboo Juice and Its Oral Liquid by NMR and UPLC-Q-TOF-MS (Analytical Study, 2020)

Gao Q, Wang D, Shao S, et al. Scientific Reports, 2020, 10(1):19664

This study identified 26 main compounds in bamboo juice (Phyllostachys edulis) using advanced analytical techniques. Carbohydrates were found to be the major components at very high concentrations (191 g/L), far exceeding other compounds. The study also raised concerns about potentially harmful levels of added preservatives (benzoic acid, ethylparaben, sorbic acid) in commercially available bamboo juice oral liquids.

2

Potential Medicinal Application and Toxicity Evaluation of Extracts from Bamboo Plants (Review, 2015)

Lu B, Wu X, Tie X, Zhang Y, Zhang Y. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2005, 102(3):297-305 (published review available at PMC4659479)

This comprehensive review examined the pharmacological properties and safety of bamboo-derived medicinal products including Zhu Li. It described Zhu Li as being colder than Zhu Ru or Tian Zhu Huang, entering the Heart, Lung, and Stomach meridians, with strong Phlegm-Heat eliminating properties used clinically for epilepsy, hemiplegia, facial paralysis, and limb numbness. The review also discussed safety considerations for various bamboo preparations.

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.