Bì Xiè (萆薢), known in English as Rhizome dioscoreae (Dioscorea hypoglauca), is a neutral, bitter Chinese herb from the Drain damp category. It enters the Kidney and Stomach channels. Its main action: resolves turbid Damp — turbid painful urinary dysfunction.
| Pinyin | Bì Xiè (Bi Xie) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 萆薢 |
| English | Rhizome dioscoreae |
| Botanical name | Dioscorea hypoglauca |
| Category | Drain damp |
| Nature | Neutral |
| Flavour | Bitter |
| Channels | Kidney, Stomach |
| Dosage | 9–15g |
| Cautions | Kidney Yin deficiency without Damp |
Actions
- Resolves turbid Damp — turbid painful urinary dysfunction
- Expels Wind-Damp, relieves Bi
Indications
- Turbid, milky, or cloudy urine from Damp
- Wind-Damp Bi
How to remember Bì Xiè
Drain damp herbs are mostly cool or cold and sweet, and most enter the Bladder channel.
- Learn by heart
- Neutral: unusual for Drain damp herbs (most are cool or cold)
- Bitter: unusual for Drain damp herbs (most are sweet)
- Kidney and Stomach channels: nothing in its group or its actions points to them
Other Drain damp herbs
- Fú Líng
- Yì Yǐ Rén
- Zé Xiè
- Mù Tōng
- Huá Shí
- Chē Qián Zǐ
- Qú Mài
- Yīn Chén Hāo
- Jīn Qián Cǎo
- Hǎi Jīn Shā
- Zhū Líng
- Dēng Xīn Cǎo
- Tōng Cǎo
- Biǎn Xù
- Shí Wéi
- Dōng Kuí Zǐ
- Dì Fū Zǐ
- Dōng Guā Zǐ
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Bì Xiè?
Bì Xiè is neutral and bitter.
Which channels does Bì Xiè enter?
Bì Xiè enters the Kidney and Stomach channels.
What are the actions of Bì Xiè?
Resolves turbid Damp — turbid painful urinary dysfunction; Expels Wind-Damp, relieves Bi.
What is Bì Xiè used for?
Turbid, milky, or cloudy urine from Damp; Wind-Damp Bi.
Practise Bì Xiè and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.