Shí Hú (石斛), known in English as Dendrobium stem (Dendrobium nobile), is a cool, sweet Chinese herb from the Tonify yin category. It enters the Stomach and Kidney channels. Its main action: nourishes Stomach Yin, generates fluids, relieves thirst.
| Pinyin | Shí Hú (Shi Hu) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 石斛 |
| English | Dendrobium stem |
| Botanical name | Dendrobium nobile |
| Category | Tonify yin |
| Nature | Cool |
| Flavour | Sweet |
| Channels | Stomach, Kidney |
| Dosage | 6–15g (fresh 15–30g) |
| Cautions | Phlegm-Damp; no Yin deficiency |
Actions
- Nourishes Stomach Yin, generates fluids, relieves thirst
- Nourishes Kidney Yin, clears deficiency Heat
- Brightens eyes, strengthens lumbar
Indications
- Stomach Yin deficiency: dry mouth, thirst, low-grade fever
- Kidney Yin deficiency with weak lumbar and knees
- Dim vision
How to remember Shí Hú
Tonify yin herbs are mostly cool or cold and sweet, and most enter the Kidney and Liver channels.
- You can work these out
- Cool, Sweet: like most Tonify yin herbs
- Stomach channel: from its action “Nourishes Stomach Yin”
- Kidney channel: from its action “Nourishes Kidney Yin”
Other Tonify yin herbs
- Mài Dōng
- Nǚ Zhēn Zǐ
- Gǒu Qǐ Zǐ
- Shēng Dì Huáng
- Tiān Dōng
- Yù Zhú
- Hàn Lián Cǎo
- Guī Bǎn
- Biē Jiǎ
- Bǎi Hé
- Běi Shā Shēn
- Huáng Jīng
- Sāng Shèn
- Hēi Zhī Má
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Shí Hú?
Shí Hú is cool and sweet.
Which channels does Shí Hú enter?
Shí Hú enters the Stomach and Kidney channels.
What are the actions of Shí Hú?
Nourishes Stomach Yin, generates fluids, relieves thirst; Nourishes Kidney Yin, clears deficiency Heat; Brightens eyes, strengthens lumbar.
What is Shí Hú used for?
Stomach Yin deficiency: dry mouth, thirst, low-grade fever; Kidney Yin deficiency with weak lumbar and knees; dim vision.
Practise Shí Hú 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.