Zé Xiè (泽泻), known in English as Water plantain (Alisma plantago-aquatica), is a cold, sweet and bland Chinese herb from the Drain damp category. It enters the Kidney and Bladder channels. Its main action: promotes urination, drains Damp-Heat — Lower Jiao.
| Pinyin | Zé Xiè (Ze Xie) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 泽泻 |
| English | Water plantain |
| Botanical name | Alisma plantago-aquatica |
| Category | Drain damp |
| Nature | Cold |
| Flavour | Sweet, Bland |
| Channels | Kidney, Bladder |
| Dosage | 6–9g |
| Cautions | Kidney Yang deficiency without Damp-Heat |
Actions
- Promotes urination, drains Damp-Heat — Lower Jiao
- Drains Kidney Fire (used in Liu Wei Di Huang Wan)
Indications
- Damp-Heat dysuria
- Oedema
- Kidney Yin deficiency with ascending Fire (in formulas)
How to remember Zé Xiè
Drain damp herbs are mostly cool or cold and sweet, and most enter the Bladder channel.
- You can work these out
- Cold, Sweet: like most Drain damp herbs
- Kidney channel: from its action “Drains Kidney Fire”
- Bladder channel: from its action “Promotes urination”
- Learn by heart
- Bland: unusual for Drain damp herbs (most are sweet)
Formulas containing Zé Xiè
- Lóng Dǎn Xiè Gān Tāng
- Liù Wèi Dì Huáng Wán
- Zhī Bǎi Dì Huáng Wán
- Jīn Guì Shèn Qì Wán
- Wǔ Líng Sǎn
- Qǐ Jú Dì Huáng Wán
Other Drain damp herbs
- Fú Líng
- Yì Yǐ Rén
- Mù Tōng
- Huá Shí
- Chē Qián Zǐ
- Qú Mài
- Bì Xiè
- Yīn Chén Hāo
- Jīn Qián Cǎo
- Hǎi Jīn Shā
- Zhū Líng
- Dēng Xīn Cǎo
- Tōng Cǎo
- Biǎn Xù
- Shí Wéi
- Dōng Kuí Zǐ
- Dì Fū Zǐ
- Dōng Guā Zǐ
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Zé Xiè?
Zé Xiè is cold and sweet and bland.
Which channels does Zé Xiè enter?
Zé Xiè enters the Kidney and Bladder channels.
What are the actions of Zé Xiè?
Promotes urination, drains Damp-Heat — Lower Jiao; Drains Kidney Fire (used in Liu Wei Di Huang Wan).
What is Zé Xiè used for?
Damp-Heat dysuria; oedema; Kidney Yin deficiency with ascending Fire (in formulas).
Which formulas contain Zé Xiè?
Lóng Dǎn Xiè Gān Tāng, Liù Wèi Dì Huáng Wán, Zhī Bǎi Dì Huáng Wán, Jīn Guì Shèn Qì Wán, Wǔ Líng Sǎn and Qǐ Jú Dì Huáng Wán.
Practise Zé Xiè 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.