Zé Xiè · Alisma Rhizome
Zé Xiè (泽泻, Alisma Rhizome) is a herb of Cold nature and Sweet, BLAND flavor, in the “Dampness Draining” category. Tradition uses it to promote Urination, Drain Kidney Fire, Clear Damp-Heat.
Energetic profile
- Pinyin name
- Zé Xiè
- Characters
- 泽泻
- Botanical name
- Alisma plantago-aquatica L.
- Family
- Alismataceae
- Part used
- Rhizome
- Nature
- Cold
- Flavor
- Sweet, BLAND
- Meridians
- Bladder, Kidney
- Category
- Dampness Draining
- Toxicity
- Non-toxic
- Pregnancy
- Caution
- Origin
- China
Actions according to tradition
- Promote Urination
- Drain Kidney Fire
- Clear Damp-Heat
- Leach Out Dampness
Traditional uses
- Edema, scanty urination from water retention
- Damp-heat painful urination and dysuria
- Kidney deficiency with fire that harms yin
- Dizziness from phlegm-damp or water excess
- Watery diarrhea and dysentery
Studied effects and current applications
- Strongly promotes urination and drains dampness
- Clears heat from kidney and bladder
- Reduces edema and water accumulation
- Clears damp-heat causing urinary symptoms
- Lowers blood lipids (modern research)
Applications under investigation
- Urinary tract infections
- Nephrotic syndrome and edema
- Hyperlipidemia and metabolic syndrome
- Kidney stones
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia
An effect being investigated does not mean it has been proven in humans.
Contraindications and adverse effects
Absolute contraindications
- Kidney yang deficiency with cold and frequent clear urination
- No dampness pattern
Relative contraindications
- Spermatorrhea from deficiency cold
- Pregnancy
- Use cautiously. Diuretic effect should be monitored.
- Breastfeeding
- Use cautiously due to potential reduction in fluids.
- Children
- Safe in children with edema and damp-heat urinary conditions.
- Older adults
- Use cautiously in elderly with kidney yang deficiency.
Possible adverse effects
- Excessive urination leading to dehydration
- Possible electrolyte imbalance with high doses
When to stop
- Dehydration signs
- Excessive urination
- Weakness increases
Interactions with medications
| Group | Drugs | Severity | Effect and recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diuretics | Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide, Spironolactone | Moderate | Additive diuretic effect - risk of dehydration and electrolyte imbalance Monitor fluid balance and electrolytes closely |
| Antihypertensives | ACE inhibitors, ARBs | Moderate | Enhanced blood pressure lowering Monitor blood pressure |
| Lithium | Lithium carbonate | Severe | Diuresis may increase lithium toxicity Avoid combination or monitor lithium levels carefully |
Reference dose
- Decoction
- 6-15 grams daily
- Powder
- 2-4 grams daily
- Acute use
- 1-2 weeks
- Chronic use
- 1 month with kidney monitoring
- Maximum
- Avoid prolonged high doses
- Children
- Safe for children in appropriate doses.
Forms of preparation
Simmer 6-15g in 3 cups water 30 min. Drink in two doses.
Edema, urinary conditions
Take 2-4g powder with warm water.
Lipid management, convenience
Approximate doses from the literature; they are not a prescription. Consult a professional.
Active compounds
Triterpenes (alisoles) and sesquiterpenes
Protostanic triterpene · Diuretic, lipid-lowering, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic
Inhibition of renal Na+ reabsorption, PPAR-α activation, HMG-CoA reductase inhibition · 0.1-0.5%
Protostanic triterpene · Diuretic, antidiabetic, anticancer
Aldose reductase inhibition, tumor proliferation block, diuresis · 0.1-0.4%
Triterpene · Hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective
LXR (liver X receptor) activation, lipid biosynthesis inhibition · Traces
Polysaccharides · Hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic
Glycogenolysis inhibition, AMPK activation · 5-15% in aqueous extract
Harvesting and processing
- Harvest
- Winter (November-January) when the aerial parts have died
Rhizomes harvested in winter when the plants have gone dormant. They are washed, rootlets and outer bark are removed, and dried.
Rhizome cleaned, peeled and dried in the sun. It contains sesquiterpenoid triterpenes (alisoles) with diuretic and cholesterol-reducing action.
Slices sprinkled with salt water (2-3 g salt per 100 g) and fried over medium heat. Salt directs the action towards the Kidney.
Formulas it appears in
Health notice. Educational and study content. It describes concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. Needling, medicinal herbs and invasive techniques must be applied by trained professionals. Safety guide.
