Shí Chāng Pú (石菖蒲), known in English as Grassleaf sweetflag rhizome (Acorus tatarinowii), is a warm, acrid and bitter Chinese herb from the Open orifices category. It enters the Heart and Stomach channels. Its main action: opens orifices, transforms Phlegm obstructing Heart.
| Pinyin | Shí Chāng Pú (Shi Chang Pu) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 石菖蒲 |
| English | Grassleaf sweetflag rhizome |
| Botanical name | Acorus tatarinowii |
| Category | Open orifices |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Acrid, Bitter |
| Channels | Heart, Stomach |
| Dosage | 3–9g |
| Cautions | Yin deficiency without Phlegm; excess sweating |
Actions
- Opens orifices, transforms Phlegm obstructing Heart
- Quiets Shen, improves memory
- Harmonises Middle Jiao, transforms Damp-Phlegm
Indications
- Phlegm blocking Heart orifices: mental confusion, delirium, epilepsy, stupor
- Forgetfulness
- Damp obstruction with chest fullness
How to remember Shí Chāng Pú
Only 2 herbs in Open orifices, so learn each one on its own.
- You can work these out
- Heart channel: from its action “transforms Phlegm obstructing Heart”
- Stomach channel: from its action “Harmonises Middle Jiao”
- Learn by heart
- Warm
- Acrid
- Bitter
Formulas containing Shí Chāng Pú
Other Open orifices herbs
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Shí Chāng Pú?
Shí Chāng Pú is warm and acrid and bitter.
Which channels does Shí Chāng Pú enter?
Shí Chāng Pú enters the Heart and Stomach channels.
What are the actions of Shí Chāng Pú?
Opens orifices, transforms Phlegm obstructing Heart; Quiets Shen, improves memory; Harmonises Middle Jiao, transforms Damp-Phlegm.
What is Shí Chāng Pú used for?
Phlegm blocking Heart orifices: mental confusion, delirium, epilepsy, stupor; forgetfulness; Damp obstruction with chest fullness.
Which formulas contain Shí Chāng Pú?
Gān Lù Xiāo Dú Dān, Dí Tán Tāng and Ān Shén Dìng Zhì Wán.
Practise Shí Chāng Pú 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.