Ze Xie is a highly valued medicinal herb in traditional Chinese medicine. In addition to its use in medicine, Ze Xie also has good therapeutic effects and can provide relief for many diseases. Let's take a closer look at the benefits and usage of Ze Xie!
【Benefits and Effects of Ze Xie】
1. Diuretic and anti-swelling
It is used to treat edema caused by water retention and urinary difficulties. It is often used in combination with Fu Ling and Zhu Ling, such as in the prescription Wu Ling San. It can also be used to treat edema during pregnancy. Ze Xie has stronger diuretic properties compared to Fu Ling.
2. Clearing and draining kidney fire
It is used to treat hot and painful urination, short and red urination, and urinary difficulties caused by damp-heat in the bladder. It is often used in combination with Mu Tong and Che Qian Zi. It can also be used in combination with Long Dan Cao and Huang Bai to treat damp-heat causing abnormal vaginal discharge. For symptoms such as nocturnal emissions, hot flashes, and night sweats caused by insufficient kidney yin and excessive heart fire, it is often used in combination with Shan Zhu Yu and Shu Di Huang, such as in the prescription Liu Wei Di Huang Wan.
【Clinical Applications of Ze Xie】
Ze Xie can be used to treat edema caused by water retention, urinary difficulties, diarrhea caused by dampness, damp-heat syndrome in the lower burner, excessive nocturnal emissions caused by excessive heart fire, phlegm and fluid retention caused by water retention, and cold-dampness athlete's foot, among others.
It is commonly used in the treatment of nephrotic edema, cardiac edema, acute urinary retention, hydrocele, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, coronary heart disease, premature ventricular contractions, fatty liver, otogenic dizziness, middle ear effusion, diabetes, and recurrent colds due to constitutional deficiency.
Treatment for edema and distention: 15g each of Bai Zhu and Ze Xie. Grind into fine powder, decoct 9g and take with Fu Ling Tang. It can also be made into pills, with a dosage of 30 pills. (Prescription: Bai Zhu San in "Bao Ming Ji")
Treatment for edema and urinary difficulties: 12g each of Ze Xie and Bai Zhu, 9g of Che Qian Zi, and 15g of Fu Ling Pi, and 24g of Watermelon Peel. Decoct in water and take orally. ("Compilation of Chinese Medicinal Herbs")
Treatment for acute enteritis: 15g of Ze Xie, 9g of Zhu Ling, 15g of Bai Tou Weng, and 6g of Che Qian Zi. Decoct in water and take orally. ("Qingdao Chinese Medicinal Herb Manual")
【Precautions for Using Ze Xie】
Ze Xie has hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Improper use can cause swelling of the liver and kidneys, as well as other toxic symptoms.
According to the Compendium of Materia Medica, Ze Xie should not be used together with Hai Ge and Wen Ge. It should also be avoided in individuals with weak kidney qi, slippery and thin semen, or symptoms of diarrhea and eye pain caused by cold and deficiency. This means that Ze Xie cannot be used simultaneously with Hai Ge and Wen Ge in traditional Chinese medicine theory.
Traditional Chinese medicine has the concept of "eighteen contraindications and nineteen aversions." Ze Xie and Hai Ge and Wen Ge are a pair of mutually aversive substances. In addition, it should not be used in individuals with kidney deficiency and slippery semen.
It should be noted that Ze Xie has certain hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effects, and long-term use is not recommended to avoid damage to the liver and kidneys.
