Author: Liao Chuxin, Chief Pharmacist, Pharmacy Department, Zhongshan People’s Hospital Editor: Fu Yongjin, Chief Pharmacist, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital Affiliated to Jinan University
Yu Zhu (Polygonatum odoratum)
This product is the dried rhizome of the plant Yu Zhu, belonging to the Liliaceae family. It is mainly produced in Hunan, Hubei, Henan, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang provinces. Harvested in autumn, the fibrous roots are removed, cleaned, and dried until soft, then repeatedly kneaded and air-dried until there are no hard cores, or steamed until translucent and then dried. It is cut into thick slices or segments, with the best quality being thick, semi-transparent, and yellowish-white in color.
Characteristics
medicine
It appears as irregular thick slices or segments, with a yellowish-white to light yellow-brown outer skin, semi-transparent, sometimes with visible nodes; the cut surface is waxy or granular; it has a faint aroma and a sweet taste, chewing it feels sticky.
1
【Properties and Meridian Entry】
PSMChina
Sweet, slightly cold. Enters the Lung and Stomach meridians.
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【Functions and Indications】
PSMChina
Nourishes Yin, moistens dryness, generates fluids, and quenches thirst. Used for Lung and Stomach Yin deficiency, dry heat cough, dry throat, and thirst due to internal heat.
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【Effect Analysis】
PSMChina
Yu Zhu is sweet and slightly cold, entering the Lung meridian, excels at nourishing Lung Yin, moistening Lung dryness, and slightly clearing deficient heat. It nourishes Yin without trapping pathogens, making it suitable for treating chronic cough due to Yin deficiency, cough due to Yin deficiency with phlegm, and dry cough with little or sticky phlegm caused by dryness invading the Lung. Yu Zhu also enters the Stomach meridian, nourishing Stomach Yin and generating fluids, useful for treating heat illness damaging Yin, fluid deficiency, thirst, dry mouth, and Yin deficiency diabetes.
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【Compatibility Applications】
PSMChina
1. Yu Zhu with Sha Shen
1. Yu Zhu excels at nourishing Yin, moistening dryness, generating fluids, and quenching thirst; Sha Shen is good at nourishing Yin, clearing the Lung, and benefiting the Stomach to generate fluids. The combination of these two herbs enhances the effects of nourishing Yin, moistening dryness, and generating fluids, suitable for dry heat injuring the Lung, dry cough with little phlegm, and heat illness damaging fluids.
2. Yu Zhu with Sheng Di Huang
2. Yu Zhu excels at nourishing Yin, moistening dryness, generating fluids, and quenching thirst; Sheng Di Huang is good at clearing heat, nourishing Yin, and generating fluids. The combination of these two herbs enhances the effects of clearing heat, nourishing Yin, and generating fluids, suitable for heat illness damaging Yin, fluid deficiency, thirst, dry mouth, and dry tongue.
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【Identification Applications】
PSMChina
1. Yu Zhu vs. Bei Sha Shen Both have a sweet taste and slightly cold nature, entering the Lung and Stomach meridians, both possess the ability to nourish Yin, moisten the Lung, and benefit the Stomach to generate fluids, treating Lung heat dry cough, fluid damage thirst, and internal heat diabetes. However, Bei Sha Shen has a slightly bitter taste, excels at nourishing Yin and clearing the Lung, effectively treating dry cough with little phlegm, dry throat, and cough with blood due to Yin deficiency. Yu Zhu nourishes Yin without trapping pathogens, excels at benefiting Stomach Yin and generating fluids, effectively treating thirst and dry tongue due to heat illness damaging Yin and external Yin deficiency.
2. Yu Zhu vs. Zhi Mu Both enter the Lung and Stomach meridians, possessing the effects of nourishing Yin, moistening the Lung, and generating fluids, used for Yin deficiency dry cough, dry cough with little phlegm, and heat illness damaging Yin, fluid deficiency, thirst, dry mouth, and dry tongue. However, Zhi Mu can also clear Lung and Stomach Qi from excess heat, relieving irritability and thirst, and can nourish Kidney Yin, moisten Lung dryness, and clear bone steaming, as well as promote bowel movements for Yin deficiency constipation.
【Examples of Formulated Medicines】
medicine
1. Luo Han Guo Yu Zhu Granules
Ingredients: Yu Zhu, Luo Han Guo.
Functions and Indications: Nourishes Yin, generates fluids, moistens the Lung, and stops cough. Used for Lung dryness cough, dry throat pain.
2. Xiao Ke An Capsules
Ingredients: Di Huang, Zhi Mu, Ren Shen, Gou Qi Zi, Yu Zhu, Huang Lian, Di Gu Pi, Dan Shen.
Functions and Indications: Clears heat, generates fluids, benefits Qi, nourishes Yin, invigorates blood, and resolves stasis. Used for diabetes due to Yin deficiency with dry heat and Qi deficiency, symptoms include excessive thirst, frequent drinking, excessive hunger, five hearts heat, constipation, fatigue, and spontaneous sweating.
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