Hē Zǐ (诃子), known in English as Chebule fruit (Terminalia chebula), is a neutral, bitter, sour and astringent Chinese herb from the Stabilise & bind category. It enters the Lung and Large Intestine channels. Its main action: binds intestines, stops diarrhoea.
| Pinyin | Hē Zǐ (He Zi) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 诃子 |
| English | Chebule fruit |
| Botanical name | Terminalia chebula |
| Category | Stabilise & bind |
| Nature | Neutral |
| Flavour | Bitter, Sour, Astringent |
| Channels | Lung, Large Intestine |
| Dosage | 3–10g |
| Cautions | Exterior conditions; early-stage diarrhoea, dysentery or cough with interior Damp-Heat or stagnation |
Actions
- Binds intestines, stops diarrhoea
- Astringes Lung, stops cough
- Descends Fire, benefits throat
Indications
- Chronic diarrhoea and dysentery
- Blood in the stool
- Rectal prolapse
- Wheezing and cough from Lung deficiency
- Chronic cough
- Sore throat and loss of voice
How to remember Hē Zǐ
Stabilise & bind herbs are mostly astringent and sweet, and most enter the Kidney channel.
- You can work these out
- Astringent: like most Stabilise & bind herbs
- Lung channel: from its action “Astringes Lung”
- Large Intestine channel: from its action “Binds intestines”
- Learn by heart
- Neutral: Stabilise & bind herbs vary in nature
- Bitter: unusual for Stabilise & bind herbs (most are astringent or sweet)
- Sour: unusual for Stabilise & bind herbs (most are astringent or sweet)
Other Stabilise & bind herbs
- Wǔ Wèi Zǐ
- Shān Zhū Yú
- Jīn Yīng Zǐ
- Qiàn Shí
- Lián Zǐ
- Fú Xiǎo Mài
- Wū Méi
- Ròu Dòu Kòu
- Chì Shí Zhī
- Chūn Pí
- Fù Pén Zǐ
- Sāng Piāo Xiāo
- Hǎi Piāo Xiāo
- Lián Xū
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Hē Zǐ?
Hē Zǐ is neutral and bitter, sour and astringent.
Which channels does Hē Zǐ enter?
Hē Zǐ enters the Lung and Large Intestine channels.
What are the actions of Hē Zǐ?
Binds intestines, stops diarrhoea; Astringes Lung, stops cough; Descends Fire, benefits throat.
What is Hē Zǐ used for?
Chronic diarrhoea and dysentery; blood in the stool; rectal prolapse; wheezing and cough from Lung deficiency; chronic cough; sore throat and loss of voice.
Practise Hē Zǐ 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.