Zhú Rú (竹茹), known in English as Bamboo shavings (Phyllostachys nigra (shavings)), is a cool, sweet Chinese herb from the Resolve phlegm category. It enters the Lung, Stomach and Gallbladder channels. Its main action: clears Heat-Phlegm, stops cough.
| Pinyin | Zhú Rú (Zhu Ru) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 竹茹 |
| English | Bamboo shavings |
| Botanical name | Phyllostachys nigra (shavings) |
| Category | Resolve phlegm |
| Nature | Cool |
| Flavour | Sweet |
| Channels | Lung, Stomach, Gallbladder |
| Dosage | 4.5–9g |
| Cautions | Cold-Phlegm; Spleen deficiency |
Actions
- Clears Heat-Phlegm, stops cough
- Clears Stomach Heat, stops vomiting
- Clears Heat, calms foetal restlessness
Indications
- Phlegm-Heat cough
- Stomach Heat vomiting
- Morning sickness
- Irritability from Gallbladder Heat
How to remember Zhú Rú
Most Resolve phlegm herbs enter the Lung channel.
- You can work these out
- Lung channel: from its action “Clears Heat-Phlegm”
- Stomach channel: from its action “Clears Stomach Heat”
- Gallbladder channel: from its use for “irritability from Gallbladder Heat”
- Learn by heart
- Cool: Resolve phlegm herbs vary in nature
- Sweet: Resolve phlegm herbs vary in flavour
Formulas containing Zhú Rú
Other Resolve phlegm herbs
- Bàn Xià
- Guā Lóu
- Tiān Nán Xīng
- Zào Jiǎo Cì
- Jié Gěng
- Chuān Bèi Mǔ
- Zhè Bèi Mǔ
- Tiān Zhú Huáng
- 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 Zhú Rú?
Zhú Rú is cool and sweet.
Which channels does Zhú Rú enter?
Zhú Rú enters the Lung, Stomach and Gallbladder channels.
What are the actions of Zhú Rú?
Clears Heat-Phlegm, stops cough; Clears Stomach Heat, stops vomiting; Clears Heat, calms foetal restlessness.
What is Zhú Rú used for?
Phlegm-Heat cough; Stomach Heat vomiting; morning sickness; irritability from Gallbladder Heat.
Which formulas contain Zhú Rú?
Wēn Dǎn Tāng and Dí Tán Tāng.
Practise Zhú Rú 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.