Ze Xie is the dried rhizome of the plant Ze Xie in the Alismataceae family. It is harvested in winter when the stems and leaves begin to wither. Ze Xie is used in traditional medicine for its diuretic and heat-clearing properties. Let's learn more about the benefits and uses of Ze Xie!
【Benefits and Uses of Ze Xie】
1. Clears heat and dampness
Ze Xie is used to treat damp-heat jaundice and yellowing of the face and body. It can be decocted with one or two sprigs of Chen Pi, three qian of Hua Shi, and one or two liang of Ze Xie, and taken orally.
2. Tonifies deficiency and stops dribbling
Ze Xie is used to treat deficient bladder and dribbling of urine. It can be prepared by grinding together one or two liang of Ze Xie, three fen of Gui Xin, three fen of Mu Dan, three fen of Zhi Gan Cao, three fen of Bai Zhu, three fen of Yu Bai Pi, one or two liang of Mu Tong, and one or two liang of Chi Fu Ling. Take three qian of the powder and decoct it with water until it reduces to six fen. Remove the residue and take it warm before meals.
3. Eliminates water and reduces swelling
Ze Xie is used to treat edema. It can be prepared by decocting six grams of Ze Xie, 7.5 grams of Zhu Ling, 6 grams of fried Hei Qian Niu Zi, 7.5 grams of Jiao Mu, and 15 grams of Ting Li Zi with 250 milliliters of water and three sections of white part of green onion. Reduce it to 120 milliliters and add 20 milliliters of wine. Take it once a day and repeat after a day.
【Processing Methods of Ze Xie】
Remove the stems, leaves, and fibrous roots, wash clean, dry with low heat, and then remove the fibrous roots and rough skin.
1. Ze Xie: Remove impurities, sort by size, soak in water until 80% transparent, remove and dry in the sun until evenly moist inside and outside, slice, and dry in the sun.
2. Bran processing: Take bran, sprinkle it in a pot, when smoke is emitted, add Ze Xie slices, stir-fry until yellow, remove, sift out the bran, and let it cool. For every 100kg of Ze Xie slices, use 10kg of bran.
3. Salt-bran processing: Take Ze Xie slices, moisten them with salt, dry in the sun, then add honey-made bran, and process according to the bran-frying method. For every 500kg of Ze Xie, use 6kg of salt and 60kg of wheat bran. Add appropriate amount of water.
4. Wine processing: In a hot pot at 100 degrees, add Ze Xie slices, stir-fry several times, spray wine evenly, fry until dry, and take out to cool. For every 100kg of Ze Xie, use 5kg of wine.
5. Salted Ze Xie: Take Ze Xie slices, spray with salt water, mix well, let it moisten for a while, put it in a pot, stir-fry on low heat until the surface turns slightly yellow, and dry. (For every 100 jin of Ze Xie slices, use 2 jin 8 liang of salt and dissolve it in an appropriate amount of boiling water) "Lei Gong Pao Zhi Lun": finely file, soak in wine overnight, strain, and dry.
【Side Effects of Ze Xie】
Ze Xie has hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Its side effects mainly manifest as swelling of the liver and kidneys and other symptoms of poisoning if taken improperly.
In addition, Ze Xie contains ze xie alcohol, which can cause decreased appetite and increased bowel sounds. The irritant substances in it can cause gastroenteritis when taken orally.
Large doses can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, increased frequency of bowel movements, abnormal liver function, hematuria, and in severe cases, respiratory paralysis.
It can also cause rashes and itching, and topical use can cause vesicular dermatitis. Long-term use can lead to water and electrolyte imbalances and damage to the liver and kidneys.
Ze Xie should not be used together with razor clams or geoducks. According to the "Ben Cao Jing Ji Zhu," Ze Xie is incompatible with razor clams and geoducks. Therefore, these two should not be mixed for use, as it can endanger your health and life.
