Bambusa Succus, Zhu Li 竹沥
Bambusa Caulis, Zhu Ru 竹茹
Bamboo Sap: Zhu Li (TCM)Bamboo Shavings: Zhu Ru (TCM)
Bambusa tuldoidesCamus, E.G., bambusées, Atlas (1913)
Phyllostachys bambusoides(Photo by Marco Schmidt) (Wikimedia)
Botanical name:
Bamboo species including the following:
- Bambusa tuldoides, B. emeiensis
- Sinocalamus beecheyanus var. pubescens
- Phyllostachys nigra var. henonis, P. bambusoides, P. pubescens
Parts used:
Zhu Li: dried Sap
Zhu Ru: Shavings
Temperature & Taste:
Cool, dry. Sweet (Sap is colder)
Classifications:
P. Clears Hot Phlegm
Uses:
Zhu Li: DRIED BAMBOO SAP
1. Clears Heat, Clears Phlegm, Opens the Channels:
-Phlegm obstructing the Heart and Spirit
-Paralysis, Hemiplegia, Stroke, Coma
-Phlegm-Heat Seizures and Convulsions
2. Clears Phlegm and Heat, Stops Cough:
-Cough and Bronchitis from Phlegm-Heat
Zhu Ru: BAMBOO SHAVINGS
1. Clears Phlegm and Heat:
-Cough, Bronchitis from Phlegm-Heat
-Coughing up Blood
-also for Phlegm-Heat obstructing the Spirit, with stuffiness in the chest, irritability, insomnia
2. Clears Heat and Phlegm, Stops Vomiting:
-Vomiting from Heat or Phlegm-Heat
-Morning Sickness
-stops rising Stomach Qi, Hiccups, Vomiting (dry-fried)
Dose:
Bamboo Juice: 30–60 grams
Bamboo Shavings: 4–9 grams
Comment:
Bamboo Sap and Bamboo Shavings are similar in effect and use. Their primary effect is both to clear Phlegm and Heat, for which they are used for Cough and Bronchitis from Phlegm and Heat. Bamboo Sap also clears the Channels, and can settle Wind-Phlegm Spasms and Convulsions, having a similer effect to Tabasheer (Tian Zhu Huang). Conversely, Bamboo Shavings settle rising Stomach Qi to settle Nausea and Vomiting from Phlegm Heat.
Preparation:
BAMBOO SHAVINGS:
1. Fresh Bamboo Shavings:
These are more Cold, better to clear Heat and resolve Phlegm, primarily used for Phlegm-Heat obstructing the Spirit with Restlessness, Irritability and Insomnia.
2. Dried Fried Bamboo shavings:
The shaving are lightly stir-fried until yellow. This is most used for Acid Reflux from Stomach Heat and Phlegm.
3. Ginger-juice Bamboo Shavings:
The shavings are soaked in fresh Ginger juice briefly, then stir-fried until dried and yellowish. This is no longer cool, but is mildly warm and is better for Nausea and Vomiting from either Heat or Cold.
Main Combinations:
1. Cough from Lung-Heat:
i. Bamboo shavings (Zhu Ru) with Scutellaria Huang Qin, Trichosanthes fruit (Gua Lou)
2. Phlegm-Heat obstructing the Spirit with Insomnia, Palpitations, Bamboo shavings (Zhu Ru) with Immature Orange (Zhi Shi), Pinellia Ban Xia
3. Vomiting:
i. from Phlegm Heat, Bamboo shavings (Zhu Ru) with Citrus Chen Pi, Coptis Huang Lian
ii. from Heat with damage to fluids marked by Vomiting with Thirst, Bamboo shavings (Zhu Ru) with Phargmatis Lu Gen
iii from Heat with Stomach deficiency, Bamboo shavings (Zhu Ru) with Ginseng, Citrus Chen Pi, fresh Ginger, Chinese Red Dates (Da Zao)
4. Morning Sickness:
i. Bamboo shavings (Zhu Ru) with fresh Ginger
ii. Bamboo shavings (Zhu Ru) with Atractylodes Bai Zhu
5. Coma from Phlegm obstructing the Mind and Orifices, Bamboo sap (Zhu Li) with fresh Ginger
Major Formulas:
Zhu Ru:
Di Dan Tang
Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang
Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang
Ju Pi Zhu Ru Tang
Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang
Qing Fei Tang
Wen Dan Tang
Cautions:
Not used for Cold Phlegm conditions.