Herb Stem (茎 jīng)

Zhu Ru

Bamboo shavings · 竹茹

Phyllostachys nigra (Lodd.) Munro var. henonis (Mitf.) Stapf ex Rendle · Caulis Bambusae in Taeniam

Also known as: Bamboo Shavings, Dan Zhu Ru (淡竹茹), Zhu Er Qing (竹二青),

Zhu Ru (Bamboo shavings) plant

Images shown are for educational purposes only

Bamboo shavings is a gentle, cooling herb best known for settling nausea and vomiting, clearing thick phlegm from the lungs, and calming restlessness caused by heat. It is widely used for stomach upset, morning sickness, persistent hiccups, and anxiety with insomnia.

Category Herbs that cool and transform Phlegm-Heat (清化热痰药)
Therapeutic focus Digestive Health Respiratory Health Sleep and Anxiety Support Pregnancy support

TCM Properties

Temperature

Slightly Cool

Taste

Sweet (甘 gān)

Channels entered

Lungs, Stomach, Heart, Gallbladder

Parts used

Stem (茎 jīng)

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 Ru does in the body, explained in both everyday and TCM terms

Therapeutic focus

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

Digestive Health Respiratory Health Sleep and Anxiety Support Pregnancy support

TCM Actions

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

Clears Heat and Transforms Phlegm Clears Stomach Heat and stops vomiting Eliminates Irritability Cools the Blood and Stops Bleeding

How these actions work

'Clears Heat and transforms Phlegm' means Zhu Ru can address conditions where Heat has caused body fluids to thicken into pathological Phlegm. This is particularly relevant when there is cough with thick, sticky, yellow sputum and a stifling sensation in the chest. Its slightly cool, sweet nature gently clears Heat from the Lungs without being overly cold or drying. It is commonly paired with Huang Qin (Scutellaria) or Gua Lou (Trichosanthes fruit) to strengthen this effect.

'Clears Stomach Heat and stops vomiting' refers to Zhu Ru's ability to settle a 'rebellious' Stomach. In TCM, the Stomach's natural direction is downward. When Heat disturbs the Stomach, its Qi reverses upward, causing nausea, vomiting, or hiccup. Zhu Ru cools this Heat and redirects the Stomach Qi downward. This makes it a key herb for nausea and vomiting caused by Heat, including morning sickness during pregnancy. It is frequently combined with Chen Pi (tangerine peel) and Sheng Jiang (fresh ginger) for this purpose.

'Eliminates irritability and calms restlessness' means Zhu Ru can address mental agitation, insomnia, and palpitations caused by Phlegm-Heat or Gallbladder Fire disturbing the Heart and spirit. Classical sources note that it enters the Heart and Gallbladder channels, making it effective for conditions where Heat and Phlegm cause restless sleep, anxiety, or a feeling of unease. This is why it features prominently in Wen Dan Tang (Warm the Gallbladder Decoction).

'Cools Blood and stops bleeding' describes Zhu Ru's secondary ability to address bleeding caused by Heat in the Blood, such as nosebleed, vomiting blood, or uterine bleeding. This action is less commonly used than its phlegm-clearing and anti-vomiting effects but is documented in classical sources.

Patterns Addressed

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

Why Zhu Ru addresses this pattern

Zhu Ru is sweet and slightly cool, entering the Lung channel. Its cool nature directly counteracts Heat accumulating in the Lungs, while its sweet taste gently dissolves thickened Phlegm. When Heat dries and condenses normal body fluids in the Lungs, they become sticky, yellow Phlegm that is hard to expectorate. Zhu Ru clears this Heat and loosens the Phlegm, restoring the Lungs' ability to descend Qi properly. It is considered milder than Zhu Li (bamboo sap) for this purpose, making it suitable when the Heat is moderate rather than extreme.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Hypochondrial Pain That Is Worse On Coughing And Breathing

Cough with thick, yellow, sticky sputum

Chest Congestion

Stifling sensation in the chest

Hemoptysis

Coughing up blood-streaked sputum

Commonly Used For

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

Arises from: Bright Yang Stomach Heat

TCM Interpretation

In TCM, nausea and vomiting are understood as the Stomach Qi moving in the wrong direction. The Stomach's natural function is to 'descend' what it receives. When this descending function is disrupted, Qi rebels upward, producing nausea, vomiting, or hiccup. The most common causes include Heat in the Stomach (from dietary excess, febrile illness, or lingering Heat after disease), Phlegm-Dampness obstructing the middle, or Liver Qi invading the Stomach. When Heat is the primary factor, the vomiting tends to be forceful, the vomit may taste sour or bitter, there is often thirst and bad breath, and the tongue coating is yellow.

Why Zhu Ru Helps

Zhu Ru directly addresses the Heat component of this condition. Its sweet, slightly cool nature clears Heat from the Stomach without being so cold as to damage digestion. By clearing Stomach Heat, it removes the pathological force driving Qi upward, allowing the Stomach to resume its natural downward movement. Classical physicians valued it specifically because its gentle cooling is safe for vulnerable states like post-illness weakness and pregnancy. In Ju Pi Zhu Ru Tang (Tangerine Peel and Bamboo Shavings Decoction), it is paired with Chen Pi to combine cooling with Qi regulation, addressing the pattern of Stomach deficiency with residual Heat that causes stubborn hiccups or vomiting.

Also commonly used for

Hiccups

Persistent hiccups from Stomach Heat or post-surgical

Acid Reflux

Gastroesophageal reflux with bitter/sour vomiting

Hypochondrial Pain That Is Worse On Coughing And Breathing

Cough with thick yellow sputum from Lung Heat

Anxiety

Restlessness and anxiety from Gallbladder-Stomach disharmony

Gastritis

Chronic or acute gastritis with Heat signs

Nosebleeds

Epistaxis from Blood Heat

Cholecystitis

Acute cholecystitis with bitter taste and nausea

Herb Properties

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

Temperature

Slightly Cool

Taste

Sweet (甘 gān)

Channels Entered

Lungs Stomach Heart Gallbladder

Parts Used

Stem (茎 jīng)

Dosage & Preparation

These are general dosage guidelines for Zhu Ru — 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 30-50g has been used in acute clinical situations (such as intractable vomiting from Stomach Heat) under practitioner supervision, though the standard Pharmacopoeia range is 5-10g.

Dosage notes

The standard decoction dose is 5-10g. For clearing Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs and calming restlessness, the standard range is sufficient. For stubborn Stomach Heat vomiting or hiccup, higher doses up to 15-30g may be used. When processed with ginger juice (Jiang Zhu Ru), the cold nature is moderated and the anti-vomiting action is enhanced; this form is preferred for pregnancy-related nausea and for patients with a mixed cold-heat presentation. Raw Zhu Ru (Sheng Zhu Ru) is preferred when the goal is to clear Heat and cool Blood. Dry-fried Zhu Ru (Chao Zhu Ru) has reduced cold properties and is gentler on the Stomach.

Preparation

No special decoction handling is required. Zhu Ru is simply added to the decoction pot and boiled with the other herbs. It should be loosened and fluffed before adding to the pot, as it tends to clump together. Some practitioners wrap it loosely in a cloth bag (布包煎) to prevent the fine fibres from dispersing in the liquid and being difficult to strain, though this is optional rather than mandatory.

Processing Methods

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

Processing method

Fresh ginger juice is extracted and sprinkled evenly over the raw Zhu Ru. The mixture is then stir-fried over low heat until the shavings turn yellow. The standard ratio is approximately 10 jin of fresh ginger per 100 jin of Zhu Ru.

How it changes properties

The ginger juice reduces Zhu Ru's cold nature, shifting it from slightly cool toward neutral. The warming quality of ginger also enhances Zhu Ru's anti-vomiting action. The processed form is less likely to injure the Stomach with cold, making it safer for patients with underlying Stomach weakness.

When to use this form

Use ginger-processed Zhu Ru when the primary goal is stopping vomiting, especially when the patient has some Stomach weakness or when the vomiting is not purely from excess Heat. It is preferred for morning sickness and post-illness vomiting where the cold nature of raw Zhu Ru might be too much for the weakened digestive system.

Common Herb Pairs

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

Chen Pi
Chen Pi 1:1 (e.g. 12g each, as in Ju Pi Zhu Ru Tang)

Chen Pi (tangerine peel) is warm and moves Qi downward to relieve nausea, while Zhu Ru is cool and clears Stomach Heat. Together they form a 'one warm, one cool' pair that harmonizes the Stomach, redirects rebellious Qi downward, and stops vomiting without being overly cold or overly warm. This balanced pairing effectively treats Heat-type nausea while protecting the Stomach.

When to use: Nausea, vomiting, or hiccups from Stomach Heat or Stomach deficiency with Heat, including post-illness hiccups and pregnancy-related nausea.

Ban Xia
Ban Xia 1:1 (e.g. 6g each, as in Wen Dan Tang)

Ban Xia (Pinellia) is warm and excels at drying Dampness, transforming Phlegm, and stopping vomiting. Zhu Ru is cool and clears Heat while also transforming Phlegm and stopping vomiting. Paired together, they address Phlegm from both sides: Ban Xia handles the cold, damp component while Zhu Ru handles the Heat component. Their opposing temperatures create a balanced formula that resolves Phlegm without being excessively warming or cooling.

When to use: Phlegm-Heat patterns with nausea, vomiting, insomnia, or chest oppression, as seen in Wen Dan Tang. Also for Gallbladder-Stomach disharmony with both Dampness and Heat.

Huang Qin
Huang Qin 1:1 to 1:2 (Zhu Ru 9g : Huang Qin 6-9g)

Huang Qin (Scutellaria) is bitter and cold, powerfully clearing Heat and drying Dampness from the Lungs and Gallbladder. Combined with Zhu Ru, the Heat-clearing and Phlegm-transforming effects are significantly strengthened. Huang Qin clears Heat more aggressively while Zhu Ru gently loosens and transforms the Phlegm that Heat has produced.

When to use: Lung Heat cough with thick yellow sputum, or Gallbladder Heat with bitter taste and nausea. Also used in Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang for febrile conditions with alternating chills and fever.

Zhi Shi
Zhi Shi 1:1 (e.g. 6g each, as in Wen Dan Tang)

Zhi Shi (immature bitter orange) breaks up stagnant Qi and drives Phlegm downward. Combined with Zhu Ru, which clears Heat and transforms Phlegm, the pair effectively addresses Phlegm-Heat that causes chest fullness, nausea, and mental agitation. Zhi Shi provides the Qi-moving force while Zhu Ru provides the cooling and Phlegm-clearing action.

When to use: Phlegm-Heat causing chest oppression, insomnia, or palpitations. Central to the mechanism of Wen Dan Tang, where this pair helps move stagnant Qi and clear turbid Phlegm from the Gallbladder and Stomach.

Key Formulas

These well-known formulas feature Zhu Ru in a prominent role

Ju Pi Zhu Ru Tang 橘皮竹茹湯 King

This formula from the Jin Gui Yao Lue is the definitive showcase of Zhu Ru's anti-vomiting action. Zhu Ru shares the King role with Chen Pi at equal dosage (each 12g), forming the core 'one cool, one warm' pair that settles rebellious Stomach Qi. It demonstrates Zhu Ru's ability to clear Stomach Heat and stop hiccups in a Stomach-deficiency-with-Heat context.

Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang 蒿芩清胆汤 King

In this Wen Bing formula from the Chong Ding Tong Su Shang Han Lun, Zhu Ru shares the King role with Qing Hao and Huang Qin at 9g. It clears Gallbladder Heat and transforms Phlegm in a pattern of Shao Yang dampness-heat with Phlegm obstruction. This formula highlights Zhu Ru's Gallbladder-clearing action in a febrile disease context.

Wen Dan Tang 溫膽湯 Deputy

Wen Dan Tang is the classical formula for Gallbladder-Stomach disharmony with Phlegm-Heat. Zhu Ru serves as Deputy, clearing Gallbladder Heat and transforming Phlegm while stopping vomiting and eliminating irritability. Paired with Ban Xia (one cool, one warm), it exemplifies Zhu Ru's core dual action of clearing Heat-Phlegm and calming the spirit. This is arguably the most widely used formula containing Zhu Ru.

Di Tan Tang 滌痰湯 Assistant

Di Tan Tang (Scour Phlegm Decoction) treats stroke with Phlegm obstructing the Heart orifices, causing inability to speak. Zhu Ru plays an Assistant role, contributing its Phlegm-clearing and slight cooling properties to balance the other warming herbs in the formula. This shows Zhu Ru's application for severe Phlegm conditions affecting consciousness and speech.

Comparable Ingredients

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

Zhu Ling
Zhu Ru vs Zhu Ling

Both come from bamboo and both clear Heat and transform Phlegm. However, Zhu Li (bamboo sap/juice) is colder, more slippery, and far stronger in its Phlegm-clearing action, penetrating into the channels and collaterals. Zhu Li is used for severe Phlegm obstruction such as stroke with loss of consciousness or thick Phlegm blocking the airways. Zhu Ru is milder and better suited for moderate Phlegm-Heat conditions. Zhu Ru also has a prominent anti-vomiting effect that Zhu Li lacks.

Tian Zhu Huang
Zhu Ru vs Tian Zhu Huang

Both are bamboo-derived substances that clear Heat and transform Phlegm. Tian Zhu Huang (Bamboo sap/dried resin) is particularly suited for clearing Heart Heat and calming fright in children, making it a key herb for pediatric convulsions and seizures. Zhu Ru is gentler and more oriented toward Stomach and Gallbladder Heat with Phlegm, especially for nausea and vomiting. Choose Tian Zhu Huang for pediatric fright and convulsive disorders; choose Zhu Ru for digestive Heat with nausea.

Pi Pa Ye
Zhu Ru vs Pi Pa Ye

Both clear Lung Heat, transform Phlegm, and stop vomiting. Pi Pa Ye (loquat leaf) is better at moistening the Lungs and treating dry cough, and its descending action on Stomach Qi is stronger for stubborn vomiting. Zhu Ru has a broader scope, also addressing Gallbladder Heat, mental restlessness, and insomnia. For cough with Phlegm-Heat and nausea, they are often combined rather than substituted.

Common Substitutes & Adulterants

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

The three official Pharmacopoeia source species (Bambusa tuldoides, Sinocalamus beecheyanus var. pubescens, and Phyllostachys nigra var. henonis) are all considered acceptable sources. However, shavings from other bamboo species may be substituted, with varying quality. A related but distinct substance is Zhu Li (竹沥, bamboo sap), which is the liquid that drips from bamboo culms when heated over fire. Zhu Li has stronger and faster-acting Heat-clearing and Phlegm-dissolving properties and a more intensely cold nature, and should not be confused with Zhu Ru. Similarly, Tian Zhu Huang (天竺黄, dried bamboo concretion/siliceous secretion) is another bamboo-derived medicinal with different properties, being more focused on calming convulsions and dissolving Phlegm in the Heart orifices. The main quality concern is adulteration with outer bark fragments mixed into the shavings, which would reduce efficacy and change the texture from soft and elastic to woody and stiff.

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

Toxicity Classification

Classical Chinese pharmacopoeia toxicity rating for Zhu Ru

Non-toxic

Zhu Ru is classified as non-toxic in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and in classical texts such as the Ben Cao Gang Mu. It contains no known toxic alkaloids or dangerous compounds. Its main chemical constituents include polysaccharides, amino acids, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, lignans, triterpenoids, and small amounts of organic acids. No specific toxic components have been identified. The only safety concern is its slightly cold nature, which with excessive dosage or prolonged use may cause gastrointestinal discomfort (loose stools, reduced appetite) in people with Spleen-Stomach Cold deficiency patterns.

Contraindications

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

Caution

Spleen and Stomach deficiency Cold (脾胃虚寒): Zhu Ru is slightly cold in nature and will worsen conditions caused by Cold in the digestive system, potentially causing diarrhea, abdominal pain, and worsened vomiting.

Avoid

Cold-Phlegm cough or wheezing (寒痰咳喘): Zhu Ru clears Heat-Phlegm specifically. Using it for cough caused by Cold-Phlegm (thin, white, watery sputum) will aggravate the condition by further cooling an already cold pattern.

Avoid

Stomach Cold vomiting (胃寒呕吐): As noted in the Ben Cao Jing Shu, vomiting caused by Cold in the Stomach or vomiting from food stagnation combined with Cold invasion is contraindicated. Zhu Ru's cooling nature would worsen such cases.

Caution

Spleen deficiency with loose stools or chronic diarrhea (脾虚泄泻): The cold nature of Zhu Ru may further impair already weak Spleen function and worsen diarrhea.

Caution

Prolonged or high-dose use without Heat signs: Extended use of this slightly cold herb in patients without clear Heat signs may gradually damage the Spleen and Stomach, leading to poor appetite and digestive weakness.

Special Populations

Important considerations for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and pediatric use

Pregnancy

Zhu Ru is traditionally considered safe during pregnancy and is in fact classically indicated for pregnancy-related conditions. It is used for morning sickness (妊娠恶阻, pregnancy nausea and vomiting due to Heat) and restless fetus (胎动不安). The Jin Gui Yao Lue includes Zhu Pi Da Wan specifically for postpartum restlessness and vomiting. When used for pregnancy nausea, it is often processed with ginger juice (Jiang Zhu Ru) to moderate its cold nature. It should be used at standard doses under practitioner guidance. There is no traditional or pharmacological evidence of uterine-stimulating or teratogenic effects for Bambusa tuldoides shavings at medicinal doses.

Breastfeeding

No specific contraindications for breastfeeding have been documented in classical or modern sources. Zhu Ru is classified as non-toxic and contains no known compounds with demonstrated transfer through breast milk or adverse effects on lactation. It has traditionally been used postpartum (as in Dan Zhu Ru Tang from the Qian Jin Fang) for postpartum restlessness and Heat. Standard doses are generally considered safe during breastfeeding, though as with all herbs, practitioner guidance is recommended.

Children

Zhu Ru has traditionally been used in pediatric formulas, particularly for childhood convulsions with fever and Phlegm (小儿风热癫痫) as noted in the Ben Cao Zheng. It appears in formulas like Xiao Er Zhi Sou Tang Jiang (pediatric cough syrup preparations). For children, dosage should be reduced proportionally by age and body weight, typically to one-third to one-half of the adult dose. Its mild, non-toxic nature makes it generally suitable for children when indicated by a Heat-Phlegm pattern, but care should be taken in children with weak digestion or cold constitutions, as its slightly cold nature may cause loose stools.

Drug Interactions

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

No well-documented pharmaceutical drug interactions have been identified for Zhu Ru in modern pharmacological literature. Its known chemical constituents (polysaccharides, lignans, flavonoids, triterpenoids, phenolic compounds) have not been shown to significantly affect cytochrome P450 enzyme activity or interact with common medications at standard doses.

One pharmacological study noted that bamboo shavings may have a mild blood sugar-raising effect in animal models. While the clinical significance of this is uncertain, patients on antidiabetic medications should be aware of this theoretical possibility and monitor blood glucose levels if using Zhu Ru regularly.

Dietary Advice

Foods and dietary considerations when taking Zhu Ru

When taking Zhu Ru for Heat-Phlegm patterns or Stomach Heat vomiting, avoid greasy, fried, and heavy foods that generate Phlegm and Heat. Spicy, hot-natured foods (such as chilli peppers, lamb, and strong alcohol) should be minimized as they counteract the herb's cooling purpose. Light, easily digestible foods such as congee, steamed vegetables, and mild soups are preferable. When using Zhu Ru for nausea or vomiting, small frequent meals are better tolerated than large ones.

Botanical Description

Physical characteristics and morphology of the Zhu Ru source plant

Zhu Ru (竹茹) is derived from several species of bamboo in the grass family (Poaceae). The three official source species listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia are Bambusa tuldoides Munro (Qing Gan Zhu, 青秆竹), Sinocalamus beecheyanus var. pubescens (Da Tou Dian Zhu, 大头典竹), and Phyllostachys nigra var. henonis (Dan Zhu, 淡竹). The medicinal part is not the root, leaf, or sap, but specifically the dried middle layer (stratum intermedium) of the stem, obtained by stripping away the hard outer bark and then scraping the slightly greenish inner layer into thin shavings or strips.

Bambusa tuldoides is an erect, evergreen, clump-forming bamboo that grows 7 to 15 metres tall, with culms (stems) roughly 5 cm in diameter and smooth internodes 30 to 50 cm long. It grows on flat ground and hillsides in southern China (Guangdong, Guangxi). Phyllostachys nigra var. henonis (Dan Zhu) is a more slender bamboo commonly found across a wider range from the Yellow River to the Yangtze River basin, especially in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Henan, and Shandong. These bamboos prefer moderate to full sun and moist, moderately acidic, loamy soil.

Sourcing & Harvesting

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

Harvesting season

Can be harvested year-round. Fresh bamboo stems are cut at any season, the outer bark is stripped, and the slightly green middle layer is scraped into shavings and dried in the shade.

Primary growing regions

Zhu Ru is produced throughout southern and central China. The main producing regions include Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, and Sichuan provinces. Bambusa tuldoides (Qing Gan Zhu) is mainly distributed in Guangdong and Guangxi. Sinocalamus beecheyanus var. pubescens (Da Tou Dian Zhu) grows in Guangdong, Hainan, and Guangxi. Phyllostachys nigra var. henonis (Dan Zhu) has the widest range, from the Yellow River basin to the Yangtze River basin, with particularly abundant production in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Henan, and Shandong. Because bamboo is widely cultivated and fast-growing, there is no single dominant 'dao di' terroir region, but material from Jiangsu and Zhejiang has historically been considered of fine quality.

Quality indicators

Good quality Zhu Ru consists of fine, uniform silk-like threads or thin strips that are light green to yellow-green in colour, with a soft and flexible texture. The shavings should be elastic and springy when compressed, lightweight, and fibrous. The aroma is faintly fresh and bamboo-like, and the taste is bland to slightly sweet. Avoid material that is dark brown or black (indicating age or mould), brittle and dry without elasticity, or mixed with fragments of the hard outer bark. The best quality is described as 'si xi jun yun, se lü, zhi rou ruan' (丝细均匀，色绿，质柔软) — meaning fine, even threads, green colour, and soft texture.

Classical Texts

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

Ming Yi Bie Lu (名医别录)

Chinese: 主呕啘，温气寒热，吐血，崩中溢筋。

English: Governs vomiting and retching, warm Qi with alternating chills and fever, spitting blood, and uterine flooding.

Yao Xing Lun (药性论)

Chinese: 止肺痿唾血，鼻衄，治五痔。

English: Stops lung atrophy with blood-streaked sputum, nosebleed, and treats the five types of hemorrhoids.

Ben Cao Gang Mu (本草纲目) by Li Shizhen

Chinese: 甘，微寒，无毒。

English: Sweet, slightly cold, non-toxic.

Ben Cao Jing Shu (本草经疏)

Chinese: 竹茹，甘寒解阳明之热，则邪气退而呕啘止矣。甘寒又能凉血清热，故主吐血崩中及女劳复也。

English: Zhu Ru, being sweet and cold, resolves Heat in the Yangming channel so that pathogenic Qi retreats and vomiting ceases. Its sweet, cold nature also cools the Blood and clears Heat, thus it governs spitting blood, uterine flooding, and relapse from postpartum exertion.

Yao Pin Hua Yi (药品化义)

Chinese: 竹茹，轻可去实，凉能去热，苦能降下，专清热痰，为宁神开郁佳品。主治胃热噎膈，胃虚干呕，热呃咳逆，痰热恶心……此皆胆胃热痰之症，悉能奏效。

English: Zhu Ru is light enough to dispel excess, cool enough to remove Heat, and its descending nature specializes in clearing Hot Phlegm. It is an excellent substance for calming the spirit and opening constraint. It governs Stomach Heat with difficulty swallowing, dry retching from Stomach deficiency with Heat, hot hiccups and cough, nausea from Phlegm-Heat... all conditions of Gallbladder and Stomach Hot Phlegm respond to it.

Ben Jing Feng Yuan (本经逢原)

Chinese: 竹茹专清胃府之热，为虚烦烦渴、胃虚呕逆之要药。

English: Zhu Ru specifically clears Heat from the Stomach organ. It is an essential herb for deficiency-type restlessness with thirst, and vomiting from Stomach weakness with Heat.

Historical Context

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

Zhu Ru was first recorded as a medicinal substance in the Ming Yi Bie Lu (Supplementary Records of Famous Physicians), compiled around the 3rd century CE. The name 'Zhu Ru' (竹茹) literally means 'bamboo fibers' or 'bamboo inner pith,' referring to the fibrous shavings scraped from the middle layer of the bamboo stem. It was also referenced in Tao Hongjing's Ben Cao Jing Ji Zhu (Collected Commentaries on the Classic of Materia Medica) under the alternate name Qing Zhu Ru (青竹茹). The herb appears prominently in Zhang Zhongjing's Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essential Prescriptions from the Golden Cabinet, c. 200 CE) in two notable formulas: Ju Pi Zhu Ru Tang (Tangerine Peel and Bamboo Shavings Decoction) for hiccup and vomiting from Stomach Heat with Qi deficiency, and Zhu Pi Da Wan (Bamboo Skin Large Pill) for postpartum deficiency with restlessness and vomiting.

Sun Simiao's Qian Jin Fang (Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold, 7th century) included Dan Zhu Ru Tang for postpartum deficiency-restlessness with headache, shortness of breath, and mental confusion. Later, Zhu Ru became an essential ingredient in Wen Dan Tang (Warm the Gallbladder Decoction), one of the most widely used formulas for Phlegm-Heat disturbing the Heart and Gallbladder, treating insomnia, anxiety, nausea, and dizziness. Classical commentators noted that bamboo, as a plant, is hollow, upright, and associated with gentlemanly virtue in Chinese culture. Its cooling, clearing properties were seen as a natural extension of the plant's character: pure, incorruptible, and able to 'sweep away turbidity.'

Modern Research

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

1

Anti-fatigue activity of a triterpenoid-rich extract from Chinese bamboo shavings (Preclinical animal study, 2006)

Zhang Y, Yao X, Bao B, Zhang Y. Phytotherapy Research, 2006, 20(10), 872-876.

Researchers tested a triterpenoid extract from Bambusa tuldoides shavings in mice. At appropriate doses (40-250 mg/kg/day), the extract prolonged weight-loaded swimming and climbing time, increased liver glycogen, and decreased blood lactic acid and serum urea nitrogen, demonstrating anti-fatigue effects.

PubMed
2

Isolation and identification of lignans from Caulis Bambusae in Taenia with antioxidant properties (Phytochemical study, 2013)

Sun J, Yu J, Zhang PC, Yue YD. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2013, 61(20), 4714-4719.

This study isolated lignan compounds from Bambusa tuldoides bamboo shavings and tested their antioxidant capacity. Several lignans showed notable free radical scavenging activity, supporting the traditional use of bamboo shavings as a health food ingredient in Asia.

PubMed
3

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

Nirmala C, Bisht MS, Laishram M. Tropical Plant Biology, 2015, 8(3-4), 136-150.

A review article summarizing research on medicinal uses of bamboo species. It confirmed the anti-fatigue effect of Bambusa tuldoides shavings extract and reviewed antibacterial, antioxidant, and other pharmacological activities across bamboo species, while also evaluating safety data.

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.