Anemarrhena, Zhi Mu 知母
Zhi Mu (TCM)
Anemarrhena in Gujin Tushu Jicheng (Imperial Encyclopedia, early 18th century)Botanical name:
Anemarrhena asphodeloides
Parts used:
Rhizome
Temperature & Taste:
Cold, moist. Bitter, Sweet
Classifications:
B. Clear Strong Heat or Fire
Uses:
1. Clears Heat, Drains Fire:
-High Fever, thirst, irritability with a rapid pulse
-Lung and Stomach Fire
-Cough with yellow Phlegm and Fever; Pneumonia
-Consumption with dry Throat
-Mouth Ulcers from excess Heat
-‘purges rootless Fire from the Kidney’. (Li Gao)
2. Nourish Yin, Clears Heat, Moisten Dryness:
-Night sweats, Burning pain in the bones; ‘Steaming Bone Disorder’ (see below)
-Diabetes, and Diabetes-like disorders
-‘moistens the Heart and Lungs’ (Da Ming); ‘moistens the Yin’ (Li Gao)
3. Calms the Fetus:
–‘soothes the Fetus, and stops restlessness due to pregnancy’ (Li Shi Zhen)
Dose:
Decoction: 6–12 grams
Powder: 1–3 grams in
Preparation:
1. Dry-fried Anemarrhena (Chao Zhi Mu):
Dry fry until the root is slightly browned. This makes its less moist and heavy and it better for weak and sensitive digestive systems. It also moderates it Heat/Fire-draining effect.
2. Honey-fried Anemarrhena (Mi Zhi Zhi Mu):
Stir-fried with Honey as for Licorice root. This also moderates its effect on the Stomach and makes it sweeter and more tonifying. It is better for the young and delicate constitutions.
3. Vinegar-fried Anemarrhena (Cu Chao Zhi Mu):
Soak the herb in vinegar briefly, then stir-fry or bake until dry. This leads the effect upwards and towards the Lungs. This is especially useful for Coughing and spitting Blood, Wheezing from Heat, etc.
4. Salt-fried Anemarrhena (Yan Chao Zhi Mu):
Sliced root is sprayed or soaked briefly in salt water, then dry-fried or baked until dry. This is said to lead the activity to the Kidneys and lower body, nourishing Yin, moistening, and helping clear Heat.
5. Wine-fried Anemarrhena (Jiu Chao Zhi Mu):
Soak slices of the root in rice wine, then stir-fry or bake to dryness. This lessens its cold effect and helps lead the herb to the upper body.
Main Combinations:
Its effects are reinforced by Phellodendron Huang bai
1. Strong Heat of the Stomach and Lungs (Yang Ming Heat, Heat in the Qi level), with Fever, Thirst, Sweat and Big Pulse, combine Anemarrhena Zhi Mu with Gypsum (Shi Gao) and Licorice (as in Bai Hu Tang)
2. High Fever, Thirst, Irritability (as in Encephalitis, Meningitis, Hemorrhagic Fever, Septicemia), Anemarrhena Zhi Mu with Gypsum (Shi Gao), Rehmannia Sheng Di, Paeonia Mu Dan Pi, Scrophularia Xuan Shen, Coptis Huang Lian, Forsythia Lian Qian (as in Qing Wen Bai Du Yin)
3. To clear Heat and Fire from the Kidneys and lower body (Yin deficient Heat, Premature ejaculation, Dysuria etc.), Anemarrhena Zhi Mu is often combined with Phellodendron Huang Bai. When added to Liu Wei Di Huang Wan it forms Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan, the primary formula for Yin-deficient Heat.
4. Damp-Heat obstructing the lower warmer (lower abdomen) with Urinary retention, Anemarrhena Zhi Mu, Phellodendron Huang Bai with Cinnamon (Rou Gui)
5. Yin deficient Heat, Night Sweats, with ‘Steaming Bone Disorder’ (Heat felt deep in the bones), Anemarrhena Zhi Mu with Soft-Shelled Turtle Shell Bie Jia
6. Yin Deficient Heat with Agitation, Insomnia, Anemarrhena Zhi Mu with Lillium Bai He
7. Menopausal syndrome with flushing, sweating, irritability, insomnia with Yin and Yang deficiency and deficiency Heat, Anemarrhena Zhi Mu, Phellodendron Huang Bai, Epimedium Yin Yang Huo, Morinda Bai Ji Tian, Dang Gui (as in Er Xian Tang)
8. For cough from Lung Heat marked by thick, yellow Phlegm:
i. Anemarrhena Zhi Mu with Fritillaria Zhe Bei Mu.
ii. Anemarrhena Zhi Mu with Scutellaria Huang Qin, Licorice
iii. Anemarrhena Zhi Mu with Apricot kernel (Xing Ren), Gypsum (Shi Gao)
9. Diabetes-like disorder with Thirst and Irritability from Stomach Heat and Yin deficiency, Anemarrhena Zhi Mu with Trichosanthes Root Tian Hua Fen, Ophiopogon Mai Men Dong
10. Mouth Ulcers from excess Heat, Anemarrhena Zhi Mu with Scrophularia Xuan Shen and Rehmannia Sheng Di Huang
Major Formulas:
Bai Hu Tang
Bai Hu Jia Ren Shen Tang
Da Bu Yin Wan (Great Tonify Yin Pill)
Er Mu San
Er Xian Tang
Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang
Hu Qian Wan
Mie Di Zhi Yang Tang
Qing Gu San
Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang
Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang
Qing Wen Bai Du Yin
Ren Shen Ge Jie San
Suan Zao Ren Tang
Xiao Feng San
Xin Yi Qing Fei Yin
Yi Yin Jian
Yu Nu Jian
Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan
Cautions:
1. Not used in Coldness and weakness of the Digestion. Large doses cause Diarrhea
2. Not used in Diarrhea
Drug Interactions:
May interact with Hypoglycemia drugs