Ze Xie is the dried rhizome of the plant Ze Xie in the Alismataceae family. It is used in traditional Chinese medicine for its ability to clear heat, reduce swelling, and promote urination. Although Ze Xie has high medicinal value, there are certain precautions that should be taken when using it.
[Effects and Functions of Ze Xie]
1. Promotes diuresis and reduces swelling
Used to treat edema caused by water retention and difficulty urinating. It is often used in combination with Fu Ling and Zhu Ling, such as in the formula Wu Ling San. It can also be used for treating edema in pregnancy. Ze Xie has stronger diuretic properties compared to Fu Ling.
2. Clears and drains kidney fire
Used to treat hot and painful urination caused by bladder heat and dampness. It is often used in combination with Mu Tong and Che Qian Zi. It can also be used for treating excessive vaginal discharge caused by dampness and heat descending, in combination with Long Dan Cao and Huang Bai. In cases where there is deficiency of kidney yin and excessive heart fire leading to symptoms such as nocturnal emissions, night sweats, and hot flashes, it is often used in combination with Shan Zhu Yu and Shu Di Huang, such as in the formula Liu Wei Di Huang Wan.
[Clinical Applications of Ze Xie]
Ze Xie can be used to treat conditions such as edema caused by water retention, difficulty urinating, diarrhea caused by dampness, urinary tract infection caused by damp-heat, excessive nocturnal emissions caused by excessive heart fire, phlegm-dampness retention, and athlete's foot caused by cold and dampness.
It is commonly used in the treatment of kidney edema, cardiac edema, acute urinary retention, hydrocele, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, coronary heart disease, premature ventricular contractions, fatty liver, vertigo caused by ear problems, middle ear effusion, diabetes, and recurrent colds in people with weak constitution.
Treatment for edema and bloating: 15g of Bai Zhu and 15g of Ze Xie. Grind into fine powder and take 9g with Fu Ling Tang. Alternatively, it can be made into pills and take 30 pills. (Prescription from "Baoming Ji")
Treatment for edema and difficulty urinating: 12g of Ze Xie, 12g of Bai Zhu, 9g of Che Qian Zi, 15g of Fu Ling Pi, and 24g of Xi Gua Pi. Decoction and take orally. (From "National Compilation of Chinese Herbal Medicine")
Treatment for acute enteritis: 15g of Ze Xie, 9g of Zhu Ling, 15g of Bai Tou Weng, and 6g of Che Qian Zi. Decoction and take orally. (From "Qingdao Chinese Herbal Medicine Handbook")
[Precautions when using Ze Xie]
Avoid use in individuals with deficient kidney yang.
Avoid use in individuals with allergies to shellfish.
Not recommended for use during pregnancy. Use with caution in children.
Avoid long-term and excessive use.
Avoid concurrent use with potassium-sparing diuretics such as spironolactone and amiloride.
There are reports of gastrointestinal reactions such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain with oral use. High doses or prolonged use may lead to imbalances in water and electrolytes, abnormal liver function, and hematuria. Topical use may cause bullous dermatitis.
