Herb Root (根 gēn)

Zhu Ma Gen

Ramie root · 苎麻根

Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaud. · Radix Boehmeriae

Also known as: Zhù Gēn (苎根), Zhù Má Tóu (苎麻头), Chuān Mián Cōng (川绵葱),

Ramie root is a cooling herb traditionally used to stop bleeding caused by excess heat in the blood, and it is one of the most historically valued herbs for supporting a healthy pregnancy. It also promotes urination and can be applied externally for skin abscesses and insect bites.

Category Hemostatic herbs (止血药) Herbs that cool the Blood and stop bleeding (凉血止血药)
Therapeutic focus Women's health and pregnancy support Bleeding Disorders Urinary Health Skin Health

TCM Properties

Temperature

Cold

Taste

Sweet (甘 gān)

Channels entered

Heart, Liver, Urinary Bladder

Parts used

Root (根 gēn)

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 Ma Gen does in the body, explained in both everyday and TCM terms

Therapeutic focus

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

Women's health and pregnancy support Bleeding Disorders Urinary Health Skin Health

TCM Actions

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

Cools the Blood and Stops Bleeding Calms the Fetus Clears Heat and Resolves Toxicity Promotes Urination Invigorates Blood and Dispels Stasis

How these actions work

'Cools Blood and stops bleeding' means that Ramie root's cold nature enters the Blood level and removes excess Heat that is forcing blood out of the vessels. When Heat agitates the Blood, it can cause nosebleeds, vomiting of blood, blood in the stool or urine, heavy menstrual bleeding, or bruising under the skin (purpura). Ramie root addresses the root cause (the Heat) while also stopping the bleeding itself. It can be used on its own for mild cases, or combined with other cooling hemostatic herbs for more severe bleeding.

'Calms the fetus' refers to its traditional use in preventing threatened miscarriage. In TCM, when Heat accumulates in the Blood during pregnancy, it can disturb the fetus and lead to vaginal bleeding or restless fetal movement. Ramie root clears this Heat while stabilizing pregnancy, which is why classical texts have long regarded it as a key herb for this purpose. The classical formula Zhù Gēn Tāng pairs it with blood-nourishing herbs for exactly this application.

'Clears Heat and resolves toxins' refers to its ability to address hot, swollen, and infected skin conditions such as boils, abscesses, and erysipelas (a type of red skin infection called dān dú in TCM). For these conditions, the fresh root is typically mashed and applied externally as a poultice.

'Promotes urination' means it helps relieve painful or difficult urination, particularly when caused by Heat in the Bladder. Classical texts frequently used it for urinary conditions known as 'the five types of painful urination' (wǔ lín), especially blood in the urine.

Patterns Addressed

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

Why Zhu Ma Gen addresses this pattern

Ramie root is cold in nature and sweet in taste, entering the Heart and Liver channels, which are the two organs most closely tied to governing and storing Blood. When pathological Heat enters the Blood level, it pushes blood recklessly out of the vessels, causing various forms of bleeding. Ramie root's cold nature directly counteracts this Heat, cooling the Blood to restore its normal flow within the vessels. Its sweet taste also gently nourishes Yin, helping to anchor the Blood. This makes it particularly suited to Blood Heat patterns where the primary manifestation is hemorrhage.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Nosebleeds

Nosebleeds from Blood Heat

Vomiting Blood

Coughing or vomiting blood

Dark Blood In Stool

Blood in the stool

Blood in Urine

Blood in the urine (blood strangury)

Postmenstrual Bleeding

Heavy uterine bleeding (flooding and spotting)

Commonly Used For

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

Arises from: Fetal Restlessness Blood Heat

TCM Interpretation

In TCM, a healthy pregnancy depends on sufficient Blood nourishing the fetus and the smooth, undisturbed function of the Chong and Ren extraordinary vessels. Threatened miscarriage (called tāi dòng bù ān, literally 'restless fetal movement') most commonly arises when Heat enters the Blood level during pregnancy. This Heat agitates the Blood, causing it to move recklessly and leak downward as vaginal bleeding. It can also directly disturb the fetus, causing abdominal pain and a sensation of bearing down. The Liver stores Blood and the Heart governs it. When Heat invades these two organ systems, the Blood can no longer peacefully nourish the fetus.

Why Zhu Ma Gen Helps

Ramie root is cold and sweet, entering the Heart and Liver channels, which are the two channels most directly involved in governing and storing Blood during pregnancy. Its cold nature clears the Heat that is agitating the Blood, while its sweet taste gently nourishes Yin to support the Blood. Classical physicians specifically noted that Ramie root both stops the bleeding and calms the fetus simultaneously. The classical formula Zhù Gēn Tāng from the Xiǎo Pǐn Fāng pairs Ramie root with blood-nourishing herbs like Dāng Guī, Sháo Yào, Ē Jiāo, and Dì Huáng, creating a comprehensive approach that clears Heat, stops bleeding, nourishes Blood, and stabilizes the pregnancy. Clinical studies have shown this formula to have a 93% effectiveness rate for early threatened miscarriage.

Also commonly used for

Nosebleeds

Epistaxis from Blood Heat

Blood in Urine

Hematuria, especially heat-type urinary tract bleeding

Urinary Tract Infection

Painful urination with heat signs

Skin Abscess

Early-stage boils and abscesses, applied externally as fresh poultice

Erysipelas

Red spreading skin inflammation

Peptic Ulcer

Gastrointestinal bleeding from peptic ulcers (as part of compound formulas)

Purpura

Thrombocytopenic purpura with Blood Heat

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)

Channels Entered

Heart Liver Urinary Bladder

Parts Used

Root (根 gēn)

Dosage & Preparation

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

Standard dosage

10-30g

Maximum dosage

30g dried herb in decoction; up to 60g when using fresh root (鲜品), which can be juiced directly

Dosage notes

Use the standard 10-30g range in decoction for most Blood-cooling and hemostatic purposes. When using fresh root for acute conditions or external application, the dosage can be increased to 30-60g, either decocted or juiced directly. For external use on abscesses, skin eruptions, or snake bites, fresh root is pounded into a paste and applied directly to the affected area in appropriate amounts. The charred form (苎麻根炭) is preferred when stronger hemostatic action is needed. Lower doses are appropriate for ongoing fetal-calming use, while higher doses suit acute bleeding from Blood Heat.

Preparation

No special decoction handling required. Decoct normally with other herbs. When using the fresh root, it can be pounded and the juice taken directly or mixed with a small amount of wine. For external use, fresh root is pounded into a paste and applied to the skin.

Processing Methods

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

Processing method

The cleaned, sliced Ramie root pieces are placed in a wok and stir-fried over high heat until the surface is charred black and the interior is scorched yellow. A small amount of water is sprinkled on to extinguish any sparks, then the pieces are removed and cooled completely.

How it changes properties

Charring concentrates and enhances the hemostatic (bleeding-stopping) action while reducing the herb's cold nature. The charred form is more astringent and better at physically stopping bleeding. The original Heat-clearing and toxin-resolving actions are diminished. The taste becomes slightly bitter.

When to use this form

Use the charred form when the primary goal is to stop bleeding quickly and the cooling/Heat-clearing function is less important. Particularly useful for bleeding that has become chronic or where the cold nature of the raw herb might be too strong for the patient's constitution.

Common Herb Pairs

These ingredients are traditionally combined with Zhu Ma Gen for enhanced therapeutic effect

Bai Mao Gen
Bai Mao Gen 1:1 (e.g. Zhù Má Gēn 30g : Bái Máo Gēn 30g)

Both Ramie root and Bái Máo Gēn (Imperata root) are cold, sweet herbs that cool Blood and promote urination. Together they powerfully clear Heat from the Blood level while simultaneously draining Damp-Heat downward through the urinary tract, making the pair especially effective for bloody or painful urination.

When to use: Blood in the urine (blood strangury) or painful urination caused by Damp-Heat in the Bladder, where both cooling the Blood and promoting urination are needed.

E Jiao
E Jiao Zhù Má Gēn 15g : Ē Jiāo 9g

Ramie root cools Blood and stops bleeding while Ē Jiāo (Donkey-hide gelatin) nourishes Blood and Yin and also stops bleeding. Together they address both the excess (Blood Heat) and the deficiency (Blood and Yin depletion from chronic bleeding), making them a classic pair for pregnancy bleeding.

When to use: Threatened miscarriage with vaginal bleeding, or chronic uterine bleeding where Blood Heat and Blood deficiency coexist. This is the core pairing in the classical formula Zhù Gēn Tāng.

Huang Qin
Huang Qin 1:1 (e.g. 10-15g each)

Ramie root cools the Blood level while Huáng Qín (Scutellaria root) clears Heat from the Qi level, particularly in the upper and middle burners. Together they clear Heat at both the Qi and Blood levels simultaneously, and both have traditional reputations as calming-the-fetus herbs.

When to use: Fetal restlessness due to Heat, where both Qi-level Heat (fever, irritability) and Blood-level Heat (vaginal bleeding) are present.

Comparable Ingredients

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

Bai Mao Gen
Zhu Ma Gen vs Bai Mao Gen

Both are cold, sweet herbs that cool Blood and stop bleeding while also promoting urination. However, Bái Máo Gēn is more commonly used for Lung Heat with coughing of blood and for promoting urination to treat edema, while Zhù Má Gēn is the stronger choice for calming the fetus during pregnancy and for topical use on toxic Heat skin lesions. Choose Zhù Má Gēn when pregnancy support is needed; choose Bái Máo Gēn when urinary or Lung symptoms predominate.

Xiao Ji
Zhu Ma Gen vs Xiao Ji

Both cool Blood and stop bleeding, and both can address blood in the urine. However, Xiǎo Jì (Small Thistle) is stronger at dispersing Blood stasis and resolving swelling, making it better for traumatic bleeding and carbuncles with stasis. Zhù Má Gēn has the unique ability to calm the fetus that Xiǎo Jì lacks, making it the preferred choice in pregnancy.

Ce Bai Ye
Zhu Ma Gen vs Ce Bai Ye

Both cool Blood and stop bleeding, but Cè Bǎi Yè (Arborvitae leaf) enters the Lung channel and is especially effective for coughing blood and blood in the sputum, while also having the ability to promote hair growth when used topically. Zhù Má Gēn enters the Heart and Liver and is more suited for uterine bleeding, pregnancy support, and urinary bleeding.

Common Substitutes & Adulterants

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

The most important distinction is between cultivated ramie (家苎麻, Boehmeria nivea) and wild ramie (野苎麻). Wild ramie has a similar appearance but grows in uncultivated areas along riverbanks and hillsides. The Ben Cao Gang Mu notes that both cultivated and wild varieties can be used medicinally. The Ben Cao Gang Mu Shi Yi describes wild ramie roots as best when from loose soil, being plump, white, and without tough fibers. Zhu Ma Gen should not be confused with other plants in the Urticaceae family. When purchasing, verify the characteristic mucilaginous texture when chewed and the pale yellow xylem with concentric rings on cross-section.

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

Toxicity Classification

Classical Chinese pharmacopoeia toxicity rating for Zhu Ma Gen

Non-toxic

Zhu Ma Gen is classified as non-toxic in classical and modern sources. The Ben Cao Gang Mu and other major references record it as having no toxicity (无毒). No toxic components have been identified in the root. Safety evaluations of ramie plant material in animal models have shown no toxic symptoms at tested doses. The main safety concern is not toxicity but rather its cold nature, which can injure the Stomach and Spleen in those with pre-existing digestive weakness.

Contraindications

Situations where Zhu Ma Gen should not be used or requires extra caution

Caution

Weak Stomach with diarrhea. The Ben Cao Jing Shu (本草经疏) states that those with a weak Stomach and loose stools should not take this herb, as its cold nature can further impair digestive function.

Caution

Bleeding or conditions not caused by Blood Heat. This herb is specifically indicated for Heat in the Blood. Using it when bleeding is caused by Spleen Qi deficiency (inability to hold Blood) or Cold in the Blood would be inappropriate and potentially counterproductive.

Caution

Cold constitution without true Heat signs. As a cold-natured herb, it should be used cautiously in patients with Yang deficiency or internal Cold patterns, as it may aggravate cold symptoms.

Special Populations

Important considerations for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and pediatric use

Pregnancy

Zhu Ma Gen has been used classically as a fetal-calming herb (安胎药) for Blood Heat patterns causing threatened miscarriage and fetal bleeding, and it appears in formulas like Zhu Gen Tang from the Xiao Pin Fang. It is included in modern Chinese patent medicines for pregnancy support such as Yun Kang Oral Liquid (孕康口服液). However, this use was debated historically: Zhang Shan Lei in the Ben Cao Zheng Yi argued its cold and slippery nature could be inappropriate for fetal restlessness. Pregnancy use should be guided by a qualified practitioner who can determine whether the pattern is genuinely one of Blood Heat. It should not be used as a routine pregnancy supplement without proper pattern differentiation.

Breastfeeding

No specific contraindications for breastfeeding have been documented in classical or modern sources. However, its cold nature means prolonged or high-dose use could theoretically affect Spleen and Stomach function in the nursing mother, potentially impacting digestion and milk quality. Use under practitioner guidance if needed during lactation.

Children

Zhu Ma Gen has been used in children historically, notably for childhood skin eruptions (小儿赤丹) as recorded in the Bie Lu and Ben Cao Tu Jing. It also appears in folk use for childhood measles. Dosage for children should be reduced proportionally based on age and body weight. Its cold nature means it should be used cautiously and for shorter durations in children to avoid injuring digestive function.

Drug Interactions

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

No well-documented pharmaceutical drug interactions have been identified for Zhu Ma Gen in the published literature. However, based on its known pharmacological properties, several theoretical considerations apply:

  • Anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications: The herb's hemostatic (blood-stopping) properties could theoretically counteract the effects of blood-thinning medications such as warfarin or heparin. The root contains compounds related to caffeic acid, which has been shown to shorten coagulation time.
  • Hypoglycemic agents: Preclinical research suggests Boehmeria nivea extracts may lower blood sugar. Concurrent use with diabetes medications could theoretically increase the risk of hypoglycemia, though this has not been confirmed in clinical settings.

Patients taking prescription medications should consult their healthcare provider before using this herb.

Dietary Advice

Foods and dietary considerations when taking Zhu Ma Gen

When taking Zhu Ma Gen for its cooling and hemostatic effects, avoid excessively hot, spicy, or fried foods, which can aggravate Blood Heat. Because the herb is cold in nature, those with weak digestion should avoid consuming it alongside cold or raw foods, which could compound digestive burden. When used for fetal calming, a mild, easily digestible diet is recommended.

Botanical Description

Physical characteristics and morphology of the Zhu Ma Gen source plant

Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaudich., commonly known as ramie or China grass, is an erect, herbaceous perennial plant in the nettle family (Urticaceae), though unlike true nettles it has no stinging hairs. The plant typically grows 1 to 3 meters tall, forming clusters of sturdy stems that can become woody at the base. The leaves are alternate, broadly ovate with serrated margins, and distinctively green on the upper surface with a dense covering of white hairs beneath, giving them a snow-white underside (the species name nivea means "snow-white"). Small, inconspicuous green flowers appear in axillary clusters from August to October.

The medicinal root is slightly spindle-shaped, approximately 10 cm long and 1 to 1.3 cm in diameter, with a greyish-brown outer surface marked by longitudinal wrinkles and horizontal lenticels. The cross-section is powdery, and the root produces a mucilaginous texture when chewed. Ramie has a deep, extensive root system that can penetrate over 50 cm into the soil. It thrives in warm, humid subtropical and tropical climates at elevations up to 1,300 meters, preferring well-drained, fertile soils. The plant has been cultivated in China for at least 3,000 years, primarily for its exceptionally strong bast fibers used in textile production.

Sourcing & Harvesting

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

Harvesting season

Winter or early spring. Roots are dug up, cleaned of soil and aerial parts, and dried in the sun. Roots approximately finger-width in diameter are preferred; overly thick roots are difficult to slice and considered less effective.

Primary growing regions

Widely produced across central, southern, and southwestern China. Major producing regions include Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Shandong, and Shaanxi provinces, as well as Fujian, Sichuan, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, and Guangxi. Ramie is native to subtropical and tropical East and Southeast Asia and is also cultivated in Japan, Korea, the Philippines, India, and Brazil. It grows naturally in evergreen forests, along streams, at forest margins, and in disturbed areas, often on limestone substrates, at elevations from 200 to 1,700 meters.

Quality indicators

Good quality dried Zhu Ma Gen is cut into round or roughly round thick slices. The woody center (xylem) should be pale yellow with several visible concentric ring patterns and a fibrous texture. The bark (cortex) should be greyish-brown. The outer surface of the whole root should be greyish-brown to greyish-tan. The herb should have a very faint smell, a bland taste, and produce a slightly mucilaginous or sticky sensation when chewed. Roots of approximately finger-width diameter are preferred. Avoid roots that are overly thick, hollow, or darkened. For the charred form (苎麻根炭), the surface should be charred black with a yellowish-brown interior and a slightly bitter taste.

Classical Texts

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

Ming Yi Bie Lu (名医别录)

The earliest classical text to record Zhu Ma Gen's medicinal use. It described the herb as treating childhood red skin eruptions (小儿赤丹), establishing its role as a Blood-cooling herb early in the Chinese medical tradition.

Ben Cao Jing Shu (本草经疏) — Miao Xi Yong (缪希雍)

Chinese: 「《别录》专主小儿赤丹，为其寒能凉血也。渍苎汁疗渴者，除热之功也。《日华子》用以治心膈热，漏胎下血，胎前产后心烦，天行热疾，大渴发狂，及服金石药人心热，皆以其性寒能解热凉血故也。」

Translation: "The Bie Lu specifically treats childhood red eruptions, because its cold nature can cool the Blood. Soaking ramie root juice to treat thirst is due to its heat-clearing action. The Ri Hua Zi uses it to treat Heat in the chest and diaphragm, uterine bleeding in pregnancy, restlessness before and after delivery, epidemic febrile diseases with great thirst and mania, and Heat from taking mineral drugs — all because its cold nature can resolve Heat and cool the Blood."

Ben Cao Yan Yi Bu Yi (本草衍义补遗) — Zhu Dan Xi (朱丹溪)

Chinese: 「苎，大补肺金而行滞血，方药似未曾用，故表而出之。」

Translation: "Ramie root greatly supplements the Lung (Metal) and moves stagnant Blood. It seems to have been unused in formulas, so I bring it to attention."

Ben Cao Bian Du (本草便读) — Zhang Bing Cheng (张秉成)

Chinese: 「苎麻根，甘寒养阴，长于滑窍凉血，血分有湿热者亦属相宜。大抵胎动因于血热者多，或因伤血瘀者亦有之。安胎之义，其即此乎。」

Translation: "Zhu Ma Gen, sweet and cold, nourishes Yin. It excels at making passages slippery and cooling the Blood, and is suitable where there is Damp-Heat in the Blood. In general, fetal restlessness is mostly caused by Blood Heat, or sometimes by Blood stasis from injury. Its ability to calm the fetus lies precisely in this."

Historical Context

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

Zhu Ma Gen (苎麻根) has a long dual history as both a textile crop and a medicinal herb in China, with cultivation records stretching back over 3,000 years. The plant was originally prized for its bast fibers, which produce one of the strongest natural textile fibers in the world. The name "苎" (zhù) itself derives from the textile processing of the plant: Li Shi Zhen explained in the Ben Cao Gang Mu that the name relates to the process of soaking and spinning the fibers (绩纻). Ancient Egyptians even used ramie fibers for wrapping mummies during 5000-3300 BCE.

Medicinally, the root first appeared in the Ming Yi Bie Lu (名医别录), where it was recorded for treating childhood skin eruptions. The herb gained prominence as a fetal-calming (安胎) medicine. Zhu Dan Xi (朱丹溪), the famous Jin-Yuan era physician, gave it special attention, writing that it "greatly supplements the Lung and moves stagnant Blood" and lamenting that it was underused in formulas. This idea of Zhu Ma Gen as simultaneously nourishing and Blood-moving was influential and was elaborated by later physicians including Liu Ruo Jin in the Ben Cao Shu. However, the herb's use as a routine fetal-calming agent was disputed by Zhang Shan Lei in the Ben Cao Zheng Yi (本草正义), who argued that its cold and slippery nature made it "certainly unsuitable for fetal restlessness" and that it was more properly a heat-clearing diuretic. This scholarly debate reflects the nuanced and sometimes contradictory ways in which classical physicians understood the herb.

Modern Research

3 published studies investigating the pharmacological effects or clinical outcomes of Zhu Ma Gen

1

Antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant effects of Boehmeria nivea root extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (Animal study, 2011)

Sancheti S, Sancheti S, Bafna M, Kim HR, You YH, Seo SY. Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia, 2011, 21(1): 146-154.

This preclinical study tested the root extract of ramie at doses of 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg in diabetic rats over 21 days. The highest dose significantly reduced fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, and triglycerides, comparable to the standard drug glibenclamide. It also improved liver and kidney markers and enhanced the antioxidant defense system, suggesting potential benefits for correcting metabolic imbalances.

DOI
2

Boehmeria nivea stimulates glucose uptake by activating PPAR-gamma in C2C12 cells and improves glucose intolerance in mice fed a high-fat diet (In vitro/Animal study, 2013)

Kim JK, Kim YJ, Lim YJ, et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013, Article ID 867893.

This study found that an ethanolic extract of Boehmeria nivea increased glucose uptake in muscle cells through activation of PPAR-gamma. In mice fed a high-fat diet, the extract significantly reduced body weight, body fat, liver fat, and serum cholesterol, while improving fasting glucose and glucose tolerance. These results suggest potential for managing obesity-related type 2 diabetes.

DOI
3

Comparative study of phenolic profiles, antioxidant and antiproliferative activities in different vegetative parts of ramie (In vitro study, 2019)

Chen Y, Wang G, Wang H, et al. Molecules, 2019, 24(8): 1439.

Researchers compared six different parts of the ramie plant for their phenolic content and biological activities. The xylem and bud showed the strongest antioxidant and antiproliferative effects, linked to their diverse phenolic composition including chlorogenic acid and epicatechin. The root had lower phenolic content than aerial parts but still contained measurable bioactive compounds.

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.