Yù Zhú (玉竹), known in English as Solomon seal rhizome (Polygonatum odoratum), is a neutral, sweet Chinese herb from the Tonify yin category. It enters the Lung and Stomach channels. Its main action: nourishes Lung and Stomach Yin, generates fluids.
| Pinyin | Yù Zhú (Yu Zhu) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 玉竹 |
| English | Solomon seal rhizome |
| Botanical name | Polygonatum odoratum |
| Category | Tonify yin |
| Nature | Neutral |
| Flavour | Sweet |
| Channels | Lung, Stomach |
| Dosage | 6–12g |
| Cautions | Phlegm-Damp; Spleen deficiency with Cold-Damp |
Actions
- Nourishes Lung and Stomach Yin, generates fluids
- Clears Lung and Stomach Heat without being cloying
Indications
- Lung and Stomach Yin deficiency: dry cough, dry throat, thirst, hunger with no desire to eat
- Post-febrile illness Stomach Yin deficiency
How to remember Yù Zhú
Tonify yin herbs are mostly cool or cold and sweet, and most enter the Kidney and Liver channels.
- You can work these out
- Sweet: like most Tonify yin herbs
- Lung and Stomach channels: from its action “Nourishes Lung and Stomach Yin”
- Learn by heart
- Neutral: unusual for Tonify yin herbs (most are cool or cold)
Formulas containing Yù Zhú
Other Tonify yin herbs
- Mài Dōng
- Nǚ Zhēn Zǐ
- Gǒu Qǐ Zǐ
- Shēng Dì Huáng
- Tiān Dōng
- Shí Hú
- 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 Yù Zhú?
Yù Zhú is neutral and sweet.
Which channels does Yù Zhú enter?
Yù Zhú enters the Lung and Stomach channels.
What are the actions of Yù Zhú?
Nourishes Lung and Stomach Yin, generates fluids; Clears Lung and Stomach Heat without being cloying.
What is Yù Zhú used for?
Lung and Stomach Yin deficiency: dry cough, dry throat, thirst, hunger with no desire to eat; post-febrile illness Stomach Yin deficiency.
Which formulas contain Yù Zhú?
Shā Shēn Mài Dōng Tāng.
Practise Yù Zhú 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.