More Information:
Other Common Names
Alisma
Page Number In Ancient
Wisdom of the Chinese Tonic Herbs
200
Pharmaceutical Latin
Rhizoma Alismatis
Pinyin
Ze Xie
Treasures
Qi
Treasure Rating
*1/2
Atmospheric Energy
Cold
Taste
mildly sweet
Organ Meridian Systems
Kidney and Bladder
Part Used
and Form
tuber, which is sliced, dried in the sunlight,
and stir-baked with wheat bran or salt water.
Primary Functions
Expelling dampness, inducing urination, and eliminating
pathogenic heat by treating false fire conditions of the Kidney
Qualities
Alisma is a very commonly used herb in Chinese
herbalism. It helps strengthen water metabolism, which is a critical bodily
function. It rids the body of excess dampness through the urinary tract. It
is mild and safe with mild tonic qualities, especially to the Kidney and Bladder,
and to the Spleen and Stomach as well. It is an excellent herb to use in
a tonic program by those who need to stimulate fluid function, so long as
you do not have a cold constitution.
It is used in medicinal herbalism to treat damp heat conditions, which
means conditions that are associated with chronic or acute infections. It
is one of the primary herbs used to treat damp heat conditions associated
with the Kidney and Bladder system, such as leukorrhea, where the discharge
is yellow or urinary tract infections. It is also used to treat conditions
such as lung congestion where the phlegm is tinged yellow or green are examples.
It is often used for obesity, especially for people who carry a lot of water
weight and tend to have rosy complexions. It is also commonly used by people
who have difficulty urinating and by diabetics. It is used routinely by older
men to help cleans the prostate gland and improve urinary function. If you
are experiencing a medical condition which you think involves an infection,
see a doctor immediately. Urinary tract infections can be serious and can
spread quickly to internal organs. Don't take a chance. However, you can use
Alisma along with most antibiotics since it is a very safe herb. This is
a common practice in Japan and China. It can be used in large quantities.
In fact it usually requires fairly large doses to do its best work.
Primary
Combinations
Alisma is always used with other herbs. Combine
with:
1. Poria and Atractylodes (red or white) to move fluids and promote urination
2. Polyporus, Gardenia Flower, Moutan and Raw Rehmannia to treat fire conditions
of the Kidney system such as bladder, urinary tract and vaginal infections
Varieties and Grading
It is an inexpensive herb. It comes sliced and
dried. But if it sits around too long it loses potency. Buy the freshest Alisma
you can find.
Contraindications
Don't use this herb if you are dehydrated. If
you are chilled all the time, this is not the right herb for you since it
has a cold atmospheric energy and will tend to cool you down further.
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