Alismatis rhizome (Zexie)

                                                 

Pharmaceutical Name: Rhizoma Alismatis.

Botanical Name: Alisma orientalis (Sam.) Juzep.

Common Name: Alismatis rhizome, Water plantain tuber.

Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing.

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The rhizomes are dug in winter. After the fibrous roots and bark have been removed, the rhizomes are soaked in water, cut into slices and dried in the sun.

Properties & Taste: Sweet or no taste and cold.

Meridians: Kidney and urinary bladder.

Functions: To transform dampness and promote water metabolism.

Indications & Combinations: Dysuria, turbid urine, edema, diarrhea and profuse leukorrhea, or retention of phlegm and fluids, leading to dizziness, vertigo, palpitation and cough.

Alismatis rhizome (Zexie) is used with Poria (Fuling), Umbellate pore-fungus (Zhuling) and White atractylodes (Baizhu) in the formula Wuling San.

Dosage: 5-10 g.