Tiān Zhú Huáng (天竺黄), known in English as Tabasheer (bamboo silica) (Bambusa textilis (siliceous concretion)), is a cold, sweet Chinese herb from the Resolve phlegm category. It enters the Heart and Liver channels. Its main action: clears Heat, sweeps away Phlegm.
| Pinyin | Tiān Zhú Huáng (Tian Zhu Huang) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 天竺黄 |
| English | Tabasheer (bamboo silica) |
| Botanical name | Bambusa textilis (siliceous concretion) |
| Category | Resolve phlegm |
| Nature | Cold |
| Flavour | Sweet |
| Channels | Heart, Liver |
| Dosage | 3–9g |
| Cautions | Cold-Phlegm; Spleen deficiency without Heat |
Actions
- Clears Heat, sweeps away Phlegm
- Cools the Heart, settles fright and convulsions
Indications
- Febrile disease with clouded consciousness
- Wind-stroke with Phlegm misting the mind
- Childhood Phlegm-Heat convulsions, epilepsy and night crying
How to remember Tiān Zhú Huáng
Most Resolve phlegm herbs enter the Lung channel.
- You can work these out
- Heart channel: from its action “Cools the Heart”
- Learn by heart
- Cold: Resolve phlegm herbs vary in nature
- Sweet: Resolve phlegm herbs vary in flavour
- Liver channel: nothing in its group or its actions points to it
Other Resolve phlegm herbs
- Bàn Xià
- Guā Lóu
- Tiān Nán Xīng
- Zào Jiǎo Cì
- Jié Gěng
- Chuān Bèi Mǔ
- Zhè Bèi Mǔ
- Zhú Rú
- Hǎi Zǎo
- Kūn Bù
- Pí Pá Yè
- Xìng Rén
- Zǐ Wǎn
- Bǎi Bù
- Kuǎn Dōng Huā
- Sāng Bái Pí
- Tíng Lì Zǐ
- Bái Jiè Zǐ
- Bái Qián
- Qián Hú
- Xuán Fù Huā
- Zǐ Sū Zǐ
- Bái Guǒ
- Qīng Méng Shí
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Tiān Zhú Huáng?
Tiān Zhú Huáng is cold and sweet.
Which channels does Tiān Zhú Huáng enter?
Tiān Zhú Huáng enters the Heart and Liver channels.
What are the actions of Tiān Zhú Huáng?
Clears Heat, sweeps away Phlegm; Cools the Heart, settles fright and convulsions.
What is Tiān Zhú Huáng used for?
Febrile disease with clouded consciousness; wind-stroke with Phlegm misting the mind; childhood Phlegm-Heat convulsions, epilepsy and night crying.
Practise Tiān Zhú Huáng 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.