Herb Bark (皮 pí / 树皮 shù pí)

Zong Lu

Windmill palm fiber · 棕榈

Trachycarpus fortunei (Hook.f.) H. Wendl. · Petiolus Trachycarpi

Also known as: Zong Lu Pi (棕榈皮), Zong Lu Tan (棕榈炭), Zong Mao (棕毛),

Zong Lu (Windmill palm fiber) plant

Images shown are for educational purposes only

Zong Lu is the fibrous leaf sheath of the windmill palm tree, used in Chinese medicine primarily to stop bleeding. It has a strong astringent quality that helps control various types of bleeding, especially heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding. Because it is neutral in temperature, it can be combined with either cooling or warming herbs depending on whether the bleeding is caused by excess heat or deficient cold.

Category Astringent herbs that stop bleeding (收敛止血药)
Therapeutic focus Menstrual Health Bleeding Disorders Reproductive Health

TCM Properties

Temperature

Neutral

Taste

Bitter (苦 kǔ), Astringent (涩 sè)

Channels entered

Liver, Lungs, Large Intestine

Parts used

Bark (皮 pí / 树皮 shù pí)

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 Zong Lu does in the body, explained in both everyday and TCM terms

Therapeutic focus

In practical terms, Zong Lu is primarily used to support these areas of health:

Menstrual Health Bleeding Disorders Reproductive Health

TCM Actions

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

Astringes and Stops Bleeding

How these actions work

'Astringes and stops bleeding' means Zong Lu uses its strongly astringent nature to hold blood within the vessels and stop active bleeding. The bitter taste helps drain downward and clear, while the astringent taste creates a binding, contracting effect that physically tightens tissues and seals off leaking blood vessels. Because this herb is neutral in temperature (neither hot nor cold), it can be used for bleeding caused by either heat or cold, making it unusually versatile among hemostatic herbs.

Zong Lu is especially valued for treating prolonged or heavy uterine bleeding (known as 'collapse and leaking' in TCM). It is also used for nosebleeds, vomiting blood, blood in the stool, and blood in the urine. However, its strong astringent nature means it should only be used when there is no active blood stasis (stagnant, clotted blood that needs to move). If used too early when stagnation is still present, it could trap old blood inside the body and make things worse. Classical texts advise that it works best when excessive bleeding has continued for some time and the old stagnant blood has already been cleared.

Patterns Addressed

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

Why Zong Lu addresses this pattern

When the Spleen is too weak to hold blood within its vessels, chronic bleeding results. This often manifests as prolonged menstrual bleeding, spotting between periods, or blood in the stool. Zong Lu's strong astringent and binding nature directly addresses the 'leaking' aspect of this pattern by physically contracting and tightening the vessels. Its neutral temperature makes it safe to use here, since Spleen Deficiency patterns tend toward cold and would be worsened by cold-natured herbs. In practice, Zong Lu provides symptomatic relief (stopping the bleed) while tonifying herbs like Huang Qi and Bai Zhu address the root cause.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Postmenstrual Bleeding

Prolonged or heavy periods that do not stop on schedule

Bloody Stool

Blood in stool from chronic intestinal bleeding

Vaginal Spotting

Continuous spotting or trickling between periods

Eye Fatigue

Exhaustion from chronic blood loss

Commonly Used For

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

Arises from: Spleen not controlling Blood Chong and Ren Vessels Instability

TCM Interpretation

In TCM, heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding (崩漏) is understood as a failure of the body to contain blood within its proper pathways. The Spleen is responsible for 'holding' blood in the vessels, and when Spleen Qi becomes deficient, blood leaks out. The Liver stores blood and regulates its smooth flow, while the Chong and Ren extraordinary vessels directly govern the menstrual cycle. Heavy menstrual bleeding may arise from Spleen Qi Deficiency failing to contain blood, Liver Qi stagnation generating heat that forces blood out, or direct weakness of the Chong and Ren vessels. Chronic blood loss further depletes Qi, creating a vicious cycle.

Why Zong Lu Helps

Zong Lu is considered one of the most important single herbs for uterine bleeding in the entire TCM materia medica. Its powerful astringent nature directly contracts and tightens the uterine vessels to slow or stop bleeding. Because it enters the Liver channel (which stores blood and connects to the Chong vessel), it acts specifically on the reproductive system. Its neutral temperature means it can be used whether the bleeding stems from heat or cold, though it is typically combined with other herbs that address the root cause. For cold-type bleeding, it pairs with warming herbs like Ai Ye (mugwort leaf) and Pao Jiang (blast-fried ginger). For heat-type bleeding, it pairs with cooling herbs like Ce Bai Ye (biota leaves) and Xiao Ji (small thistle). This versatility makes it the go-to astringent hemostatic for gynecological bleeding.

Also commonly used for

Vomiting Blood

Hematemesis from upper GI or respiratory sources

Cough Of Blood

Hemoptysis

Bloody Stool

Intestinal bleeding including hemorrhoidal bleeding

Hematuria

Bloody urine (血淋)

Dysentery

Bloody dysentery

Bleeding

Persistent postpartum lochia

Thin Vaginal Discharge

Abnormal vaginal discharge (带下)

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

Liver Lungs Large Intestine

Parts Used

Bark (皮 pí / 树皮 shù pí)

Dosage & Preparation

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

Standard dosage

3-9g

Maximum dosage

Up to 15g in severe bleeding, under practitioner supervision. When used as powder (ground charred form) taken directly with liquid rather than as decoction, the dose is typically 1-2g per administration.

Dosage notes

Zong Lu is almost always used in its charred form (棕榈炭, Zong Lu Tan) rather than raw, as charring significantly enhances its hemostatic action. When decocted, the standard range is 3 to 9g. When taken as powdered charcoal mixed into warm water, wine, or rice water, the typical single dose is 1 to 2g (approximately 3 to 6 fen in traditional measurement). For uterine flooding (崩漏), it is often combined with other hemostatic herbs. For nosebleeds, the powdered charcoal can also be applied directly into the bleeding nostril. Li Shizhen noted that combining it with charred human hair (血余炭) improves its efficacy.

Preparation

Zong Lu is almost always processed by charring (煅炭法) before medicinal use. The classical method involves placing the clean palm sheath material in a sealed pot, covering with a slightly smaller lid sealed with clay, and heating over gentle fire until a white paper placed on the lid turns yellow-brown. After cooling, the charred material is removed. The key is to char the exterior while preserving some inner substance (存性). It should not be burned completely to white ash, as the Ri Hua Zi Ben Cao specifically cautions. For decoction, no special handling is required beyond using the charred form. For powdered use, the charcoal is ground and taken directly with warm liquid.

Processing Methods

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

Processing method

The cleaned palm sheath fibers are placed in a sealed clay pot (or two pots sealed together with clay) and calcined over low fire. A piece of white paper is pasted on the outer pot as an indicator. When the paper turns scorched yellow, the fire is stopped and the product is allowed to cool before removal. The goal is to carbonize the herb while preserving its active properties (存性 cún xìng).

How it changes properties

Carbonizing greatly enhances the astringent and hemostatic properties. The charcoal form has stronger blood-stopping power than the raw herb. The raw form is described by some sources as slightly cool and suitable for heat-type bleeding, while the charcoal form is slightly warmer in nature and has a more powerful contracting action. The carbon particles themselves add adsorptive capacity that shortens clotting time.

When to use this form

Zong Lu Tan is the standard form used in clinical practice. Virtually all prescriptions calling for Zong Lu intend the carbonized form. It is preferred for all types of bleeding, particularly uterine bleeding (崩漏), nosebleeds, vomiting blood, and bloody stool. Aged charcoal (陈棕炭) that has been stored for some time is considered even more effective.

Common Herb Pairs

These ingredients are traditionally combined with Zong Lu for enhanced therapeutic effect

Ce Bai Ye
Ce Bai Ye 1:1 (equal parts)

Zong Lu provides strong astringent hemostatic action, while Ce Bai Ye cools the blood and stops bleeding from a different angle. Together they create a combined cooling-and-binding effect that is greater than either herb alone. Zong Lu plugs the leak while Ce Bai Ye addresses the heat driving the blood out of its vessels.

When to use: Blood heat with active bleeding, especially uterine bleeding (崩漏) or nosebleeds where both cooling and astringent action are needed. This pairing appears in the classical Zong Lu Pi San from the Sheng Ji Zong Lu.

Ai Ye
Ai Ye 2:1 (Zong Lu 10g : Ai Ye 5g)

Zong Lu astringes and stops bleeding while Ai Ye (mugwort leaf) warms the channels and stops bleeding from cold. Together they combine astringent hemostasis with channel-warming action, effectively treating deficiency-cold type bleeding that Zong Lu alone cannot fully address.

When to use: Deficiency-cold uterine bleeding where the blood is pale, dilute, and chronic. Also for threatened miscarriage with bleeding and lower abdominal cold pain. The combination appears in classical formulas like Zong Mao San from the Pu Ji Fang, paired with stir-fried Pu Huang.

Xu
Xue Yu Tan 1:1 (equal parts)

Both are astringent hemostatic herbs used in charcoal form. Zong Lu Tan has stronger astringent power, while Xue Yu Tan (carbonized human hair) also disperses stasis, helping to stop bleeding without trapping old blood. Together they stop bleeding more effectively while reducing the risk of blood stasis that can accompany heavy astringent use.

When to use: Chronic bleeding of various types, especially nosebleeds and hematemesis. The classical Hei San Zi formula from the Ren Zhai Zhi Zhi Fang combines these two herbs with aged lotus receptacle for nosebleeds.

Gan Jiang
Gan Jiang 2:1 (Zong Lu 10g : Pao Jiang 5g)

Zong Lu astringes to stop bleeding, while Pao Jiang (blast-fried ginger) warms the middle and warms the channels to stop cold-type bleeding. The combination addresses both the symptom (bleeding) and the underlying cold that causes blood to leak from deficient vessels.

When to use: Deficiency-cold bleeding patterns, especially chronic uterine bleeding, bloody stool from Spleen Yang Deficiency, or postpartum bleeding with cold signs like pale blood, cold limbs, and a pale tongue.

Comparable Ingredients

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

Xu
Zong Lu vs Xue Yu Tan

Both are astringent hemostatic herbs used in carbonized form and both are neutral in temperature. However, Xue Yu Tan (carbonized hair) also has the ability to disperse blood stasis and promote urination, making it safer when there is some residual stagnation. Zong Lu has stronger pure astringent power and is the preferred choice when the bleeding is heavy and there is no stasis. For bleeding with suspected stasis, Xue Yu Tan is safer to use alone.

Bai Ji
Zong Lu vs Bai Ji

Both are astringent hemostatic herbs, but they work through different mechanisms and target different areas. Bai Ji (Bletilla rhizome) is cold in nature and particularly effective for Lung and Stomach bleeding (hemoptysis and hematemesis), where it also promotes tissue healing. Zong Lu is neutral and has broader application across all types of bleeding, but is especially valued for uterine bleeding (崩漏). For Lung bleeding, Bai Ji is generally preferred. For gynecological bleeding, Zong Lu is the first choice.

Xian He Cao
Zong Lu vs Xian He Cao

Both stop bleeding through astringent mechanisms, but Xian He Cao (agrimony) is slightly warm and also tonifies deficiency, making it useful for patients who are weak and bleeding. Zong Lu is neutral and purely astringent with no tonifying action. Xian He Cao is better for patients with marked deficiency and weakness alongside bleeding, while Zong Lu's stronger astringent power makes it better for acute heavy bleeding that needs to be stopped urgently.

Common Substitutes & Adulterants

Related species and common adulterations to be aware of when sourcing Zong Lu

Commercial Zong Lu products come in several forms that should be distinguished: (1) Chen Zong Pi (陈棕皮) is aged palm sheath fibre in bundles or sheets, considered the best quality. (2) Zong Gu (棕骨, also called Zong Ban 棕板) is the petiole with outer fibre removed, appearing as reddish-brown strips with a raised triangular ridge on the back. (3) Chen Zong (陈棕) is recycled old palm rope or palm mattress fibre, darker in colour and of variable quality. All three forms are considered acceptable but differ in grade. Zong Lu should not be confused with the fruit (棕榈子, Zong Lu Zi) or the flower (棕榈花, Zong Lu Hua), which are separate medicinals with different properties. The fruit has astringent and intestine-securing properties, while the flower bud has mild toxicity and blood-moving activity, which is essentially opposite to the hemostatic purpose of Zong Lu.

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

Toxicity Classification

Classical Chinese pharmacopoeia toxicity rating for Zong Lu

Non-toxic

Zong Lu (the leaf petiole and sheath) is classified as non-toxic in the Ben Cao Shi Yi and subsequent materia medica texts. Its main active components include tannins, catechins, gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, and luteolin glycosides. No toxic reactions have been reported at standard medicinal dosages. Note that the flower bud or young fruiting body (棕笋/棕鱼) of the same plant was historically described as having "minor toxicity" (小毒) and requiring processing with honey or vinegar before consumption, but this is a different medicinal part from Zong Lu proper.

Contraindications

Situations where Zong Lu should not be used or requires extra caution

Caution

Bleeding conditions where blood stasis has not been resolved: Zong Lu is an astringent hemostatic. When bleeding is caused by active blood stasis that has not yet been cleared, using this herb alone will trap the stasis inside the body and worsen the condition. As the Ben Cao Jing Shu warns, sudden onset of vomiting blood with stasis still moving, sudden onset of uterine flooding with lochia not yet expelled, early-stage damp-heat dysentery, or active intestinal wind with bleeding should not be treated hastily with this herb.

Caution

Bleeding from excess Heat patterns without concurrent cooling herbs: Because Zong Lu is neutral in thermal nature, it only addresses the symptom of bleeding through astringency, not the root cause of Heat driving blood out of the vessels. If used alone in Heat-type bleeding, it may seal in the pathogenic Heat. It should be combined with cooling blood herbs such as Xiao Ji or Zhi Zi in such cases.

Caution

Early-stage damp-heat dysentery or diarrhea: Zong Lu's strongly astringent nature can trap damp-heat pathogens inside the intestines if the pathogen has not been cleared first, potentially worsening the condition.

Special Populations

Important considerations for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and pediatric use

Pregnancy

Generally considered safe at standard doses for short-term use during pregnancy, as the herb is neutral in thermal nature and primarily astringent rather than blood-moving. Classical texts actually include a formula (棕灰散, from the Sheng Ji Zong Lu) that uses charred Zong Lu combined with silkworm droppings and E Jiao specifically for bleeding and abdominal pain during pregnancy with threatened miscarriage. However, any bleeding during pregnancy requires professional medical evaluation. The flower bud (棕笋) of the same plant, which is a different medicinal part, was classically noted to "break blood" and disrupt pregnancy, and must not be confused with Zong Lu.

Breastfeeding

No specific contraindications during breastfeeding have been recorded in classical or modern sources. The herb is non-toxic and neutral in thermal nature, and its astringent properties are unlikely to transfer significantly through breast milk. Standard dosages are considered compatible with breastfeeding. If postpartum bleeding requires treatment, this herb would typically be prescribed by a practitioner who can assess whether any blood stasis remains before using an astringent.

Children

No specific age restrictions are noted in classical or modern sources. Dosage should be proportionally reduced for children based on age and body weight, generally one-third to one-half of adult dose. As with all astringent hemostatics, the underlying cause of bleeding in children should be properly diagnosed before use.

Drug Interactions

If you are taking pharmaceutical medications, be aware of these potential interactions with Zong Lu

No well-documented pharmacological interactions with specific modern drugs have been established in peer-reviewed literature. However, based on its known chemical constituents (tannins, catechins, gallic acid) and hemostatic mechanism of shortening clotting time, the following theoretical considerations apply:

  • Anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs (warfarin, heparin, aspirin, clopidogrel): Zong Lu's hemostatic and procoagulant activity could theoretically counteract the effects of blood-thinning medications. Concurrent use should be supervised by a qualified practitioner.
  • Iron supplements and medications: The high tannin content in Zong Lu may bind with iron and reduce its absorption. If iron supplementation is needed, the two should be taken at least two hours apart.

Dietary Advice

Foods and dietary considerations when taking Zong Lu

No strong dietary restrictions apply when taking Zong Lu. However, since it is most commonly used for bleeding conditions, general dietary guidance for such situations applies: avoid spicy, hot, and stimulating foods (chilli, alcohol, strong spices) that may aggravate blood Heat or damage blood vessels. Cold and raw foods should also be used with caution if the bleeding is related to Spleen deficiency failing to contain blood, as these foods can further weaken the Spleen.

Botanical Description

Physical characteristics and morphology of the Zong Lu source plant

Trachycarpus fortunei (Hook.f.) H.Wendl., commonly known as the Chinese windmill palm, Chusan palm, or hemp palm, is a hardy evergreen fan palm in the family Arecaceae. It grows as a single-stemmed tree reaching 10 to 20 metres in height, with a trunk 15 to 30 cm in diameter that is densely covered with persistent, coarse, dark brown fibrous material from old leaf sheaths. The leaves are large fan-shaped blades, palmately divided into 30 to 50 narrow leaflets, each up to 90 cm long, borne on long petioles (60 to 100 cm) lined with small teeth along the edges. The undersides of the leaves have a distinctive greyish, waxy coating.

The species is dioecious, bearing separate male and female trees. In early summer it produces large dangling clusters of small yellow flowers, followed by dark blue-purple rounded fruits about 1 cm in diameter. It is remarkably cold-hardy for a palm, tolerating winter temperatures as low as minus 15 to minus 20 degrees Celsius, and grows naturally in subtropical and temperate mountain forests of southern and central China at altitudes from 100 to 2,400 metres.

The medicinal part used in TCM (Zong Lu) is the dried leaf petiole base and sheath. Old leaf sheaths and petiole bases are harvested, the loose fibrous hairs (棕毛) are removed, and the material is sun-dried. It is most commonly charred (煅炭) before medicinal use to enhance its hemostatic effect.

Sourcing & Harvesting

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

Harvesting season

Typically harvested in September to October, though collection is possible year-round. Aged material (陈棕) stored for years is considered superior for medicinal use.

Primary growing regions

Zong Lu is widely distributed throughout areas south of the Yangtze River in China. Major production regions include Guangdong, Fujian, Yunnan, Guizhou, Zhejiang, Sichuan, Hunan, Hubei, and Taiwan provinces. The plant grows both wild and cultivated in mountainous terrain at altitudes from 100 to 2,400 metres. There is no single strongly defined dao di (terroir) region for this herb, as it grows abundantly across southern China. Aged material (陈棕) is considered superior to freshly harvested material for medicinal use.

Quality indicators

Good quality Zong Lu is reddish-brown in colour, appears as long flat strips (broad at one end, narrowing toward the other), and has a rough surface with visible longitudinal wrinkles and prominent fibres covered with dense brownish-red fine hairs. The texture should be hard and tough, difficult to break, with a distinctly fibrous cross-section. It should be nearly odourless with a bland taste. Aged material (陈棕, chen zong) is considered superior to freshly harvested material. For the charred form (棕榈炭), the exterior should be charred black while retaining some inner substance (存性, 'preserving its nature'), not burned completely to white ash.

Classical Texts

Key passages from the classical Chinese medical texts that describe Zong Lu and its therapeutic uses

Ben Cao Shi Yi (《本草拾遗》, Tang Dynasty)

Original: 「烧作灰，主破血止血。」

Translation: "Burned to ash, it breaks stasis and stops bleeding."

Hai Yao Ben Cao (《海药本草》, Tang Dynasty)

Original: 「主金疮疥癣，生肌止血，并宜烧灰使用。」

Translation: "Treats traumatic wounds and scabies, promotes tissue regeneration and stops bleeding. Should be burned to ash before use."

Ri Hua Zi Ben Cao (《日华子本草》, Song Dynasty)

Original: 「止鼻洪、吐血，破症，治崩中、带下、肠风、赤白痢。入药烧灰用，不可绝过。」

Translation: "Stops nosebleeds and vomiting of blood, breaks accumulations, treats uterine flooding, vaginal discharge, intestinal wind bleeding, and dysentery with red and white discharge. Use as charred ash in medicine, but do not burn it completely through."

Ben Cao Gang Mu (《本草纲目》, Ming Dynasty, Li Shizhen)

Original: 「棕灰性涩，若失血去多，瘀滞已尽者，用之切当，所谓涩可去脱也。与乱发同用更良。年久败棕入药尤妙。」

Translation: "Palm ash is astringent in nature. When there has been significant blood loss and all stasis has been resolved, using it is most appropriate. This is what is meant by 'astringency can halt collapse.' Combined with charred hair, it works even better. Old, aged palm material is especially excellent for medicinal use."

Ben Cao Qiu Yuan (《本草求原》, Qing Dynasty)

Original: 「棕皮，能引血归经，止上下失血，止下血尤良。」

Translation: "Palm sheath can guide blood back to its proper channels. It stops bleeding from both above and below, and is especially effective for bleeding from the lower body."

Historical Context

The history and evolution of Zong Lu's use in Chinese medicine over the centuries

Zong Lu was first recorded as a medicinal substance in the Tang Dynasty text Ben Cao Shi Yi (《本草拾遗》) by Chen Cangqi, under the name "Lü Mu Pi" (榈木皮, palm bark). The Jia You Ben Cao (《嘉祐本草》, Song Dynasty) later listed it as "Zong Lu Pi" (棕榈皮, palm sheath), attached under the entry for Zong Lu Zi (棕榈子, palm fruit). Over time, the sheath and petiole base became the most widely used medicinal part, overshadowing the fruit and other parts of the tree.

The name "Zong" (棕) derives from the appearance of the dense, hair-like fibres covering the trunk, and alternative classical names include Bing Lu (并榈), Tang Zong (唐棕), and Shan Zong (山棕). The windmill palm has been cultivated in China for thousands of years, primarily for its incredibly strong leaf sheath fibre, which was woven into rope, rain capes (蓑衣), brooms, mattress stuffing, and coarse cloth. Its widespread practical use ensured that the medicinal applications of its various parts were well known to local communities throughout southern China.

Li Shizhen in the Ben Cao Gang Mu made the clinically important observation that old, aged palm sheath material (年久败棕) is superior for medicinal use. He also clarified the principle that this herb should only be used when blood stasis has already been fully resolved, as its astringent nature seals whatever remains inside. This became a widely cited teaching on the proper use of astringent hemostatic herbs. The classical tradition also emphasized that the herb must be charred (烧灰) but not completely incinerated, a processing distinction that the Ri Hua Zi Ben Cao specifically noted.

Modern Research

A published study investigating the pharmacological effects or clinical outcomes of Zong Lu

1

Characterization of Anti-bacterial Compounds from the Seed Coat of Chinese Windmill Palm Tree (Trachycarpus fortunei) (Laboratory study, 2017)

Khan S, Taning CNT, Bonneure E, Mangelinckx S, Smagghe G, Shah MM. Frontiers in Microbiology, 2017, 8, 1894.

Researchers at Huazhong Agricultural University investigated the antibacterial properties of the seed coat of Trachycarpus fortunei. Using ethanol extraction and fractionation, they tested the material against six clinically relevant bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Two compounds showed significant antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria, with the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (39 micrograms/mL) achieved against Staphylococcus epidermidis. While this study examined the seed coat rather than the leaf petiole used as Zong Lu, it demonstrates bioactive potential in the species.

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.