Zhī Mǔ · Anemarrhena Root
Zhī Mǔ (知母, Anemarrhena Root) is a herb of Cold nature and Bitter, Sweet flavor, in the “Heat Clearing” category. Tradition uses it to clear Heat and Fire, Nourish Yin, Moisten Dryness.
Energetic profile
- Pinyin name
- Zhī Mǔ
- Characters
- 知母
- Botanical name
- Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Part used
- Rhizome
- Nature
- Cold
- Flavor
- Bitter, Sweet
- Meridians
- Kidney, Lung, Stomach
- Category
- Heat Clearing
- Toxicity
- Non-toxic
- Pregnancy
- Caution
- Origin
- China, Korea, Russia
Actions according to tradition
- Clear Heat and Fire
- Nourish Yin
- Moisten Dryness
- Clear Deficiency Heat
Traditional uses
- High fever with intense thirst from excess heat in qi level
- Lung heat with cough and fever
- Kidney yin deficiency with afternoon fever and night sweats
- Thirst and wasting disorder (Xiao ke)
- Bone-steaming fever from yin deficiency
Studied effects and current applications
- Clears heat from lung, stomach, and kidney
- Nourishes yin to address deficiency heat
- Moistens dryness to relieve thirst and dry throat
- Clears deficiency heat from yin-deficient conditions
- Lowers blood sugar (modern research)
Applications under investigation
- Diabetic complications and blood sugar regulation
- Menopausal hot flashes
- Infectious diseases with high fever
- Pulmonary tuberculosis
- Adrenal disorders
An effect being investigated does not mean it has been proven in humans.
Contraindications and adverse effects
Absolute contraindications
- Spleen deficiency with loose stools
- Cold damp patterns
- Yang deficiency
Relative contraindications
- No yin deficiency or heat component
- Pregnancy
- Use cautiously. Cold nature should be monitored.
- Breastfeeding
- Use with caution.
- Children
- Safe for children in heat conditions. Avoid in cold constitutions.
- Older adults
- Useful for elderly menopausal heat symptoms. Combine with warming spleen herbs.
Possible adverse effects
- Diarrhea from cold nature
- Loss of appetite
When to stop
- Loose stools develop
- Cold conditions worsen
- Appetite decreases
Interactions with medications
| Group | Drugs | Severity | Effect and recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diabetes medications | Metformin, Insulin | Mild | May have mild hypoglycemic effect Monitor blood glucose |
| Antipyretics | Aspirin, Acetaminophen | Mild | Complementary fever-reducing effects Generally safe in acute use |
With other herbs
- huang_bai Er Miao San - classic pair for damp-heat
Reference dose
- Decoction
- 6-12 grams daily
- Powder
- 2-4 grams daily
- Acute use
- 1-2 weeks for fever
- Chronic use
- 1-2 months for yin deficiency
- Maximum
- Avoid long-term—cold nature can injure spleen
- Children
- Use cautiously in children with spleen deficiency.
Forms of preparation
Simmer 6-12g in 3 cups water 30 min. Take cool for heat conditions.
High fever, yin deficiency heat
Salt-fried Zhi Mu (Yan Zhi Mu) directs to kidney. Use for yin deficiency patterns.
Kidney yin deficiency, menopausal symptoms
Approximate doses from the literature; they are not a prescription. Consult a professional.
Active compounds
Steroidal saponins (thymosaponins) and flavonoids (mangiferin)
Steroid furostanic saponin · Anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, antiaggregant
AChE inhibition, NF-κB inhibition, amyloid β synthesis reduction, AMPK activation · 0.5-1.5% in rhizome
Spirostanic saponin · Antitumor, pro-apoptotic, immunomodulatory
Apoptosis induction via mitochondrial, G2/M cell cycle block · 0.3-1.0%
Xanthone C-glucoside · Antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antiHIV
α-glucosidase inhibition, radical scavenging, NF-κB modulation, HIV-1 integrase inhibition · 0.5-2.0%
Steroid sapogenin · Neuroprotective, precursor of synthetic steroids
Modulation of muscarinic receptors, reduction of neuronal inflammation · Thymosaponin aglycone
Harvesting and processing
- Harvest
- Spring (before bud break) or autumn (September-October)
Rhizomes harvested in spring or autumn. They can be sold with skin (毛知母) or peeled (知母肉). The peeled form is preferred for internal use.
Rhizome scraped to remove fibers and outer epidermis, sliced and dried. Preferred shape for most uses.
Slices mixed with salt water (2-3 g salt per 100 g) and gently fried. 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.
