Yì Zhì Rén (益智仁), known in English as Bitter cardamom fruit (Alpinia oxyphylla (fruit)), is a warm, acrid Chinese herb from the Tonify yang category. It enters the Spleen and Kidney channels. Its main action: warms Kidney, secures essence, reduces urination.
| Pinyin | Yì Zhì Rén (Yi Zhi Ren) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 益智仁 |
| English | Bitter cardamom fruit |
| Botanical name | Alpinia oxyphylla (fruit) |
| Category | Tonify yang |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Acrid |
| Channels | Spleen, Kidney |
| Dosage | 3–10g |
| Cautions | Yin deficiency with Heat; frequent urination from Heat |
Actions
- Warms Kidney, secures essence, reduces urination
- Warms Spleen, stops diarrhoea, controls drooling
Indications
- Enuresis and frequent urination from Kidney deficiency
- Spermatorrhoea and turbid urine
- Diarrhoea and cold abdominal pain from Spleen Cold
- Excessive drooling
How to remember Yì Zhì Rén
Tonify yang herbs are mostly warm or hot and sweet, and most enter the Kidney and Liver channels.
- You can work these out
- Warm: like most Tonify yang herbs
- Spleen channel: from its action “Warms Spleen”
- Kidney channel: from its action “Warms Kidney”
- Learn by heart
- Acrid: unusual for Tonify yang herbs (most are sweet)
Formulas containing Yì Zhì Rén
Other Tonify yang herbs
- Dù Zhòng
- Lù Róng
- Xiān Máo
- Yín Yáng Huò
- Bǔ Gǔ Zhī
- Tù Sī Zǐ
- Bā Jǐ Tiān
- Suǒ Yáng
- Xù Duàn
- Ròu Cōng Róng
- Dōng Chóng Xià Cǎo
- Hé Táo Rén
- Shā Yuàn Zǐ
- Lù Jiǎo Jiāo
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Yì Zhì Rén?
Yì Zhì Rén is warm and acrid.
Which channels does Yì Zhì Rén enter?
Yì Zhì Rén enters the Spleen and Kidney channels.
What are the actions of Yì Zhì Rén?
Warms Kidney, secures essence, reduces urination; Warms Spleen, stops diarrhoea, controls drooling.
What is Yì Zhì Rén used for?
Enuresis and frequent urination from Kidney deficiency; spermatorrhoea and turbid urine; diarrhoea and cold abdominal pain from Spleen Cold; excessive drooling.
Which formulas contain Yì Zhì Rén?
Suō Quán Wán and Tù Sī Wán.
Practise Yì Zhì Rén 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.