Ze Xie is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine for clearing heat and reducing swelling. It has excellent diuretic effects, especially when combined with other types of Chinese medicine. However, there are also many contraindications when using Ze Xie!
【Medicinal value of Ze Xie】
Ze Xie has the effects of promoting water circulation, eliminating heat, and promoting urination. It is mainly used for difficulty in urination, hot and painful urination. Ze Xie produced in winter has the strongest diuretic effect, while Ze Xie produced in spring has a slightly weaker effect. Ze Xie roots (non-viable seedlings) and Ze Xie produced in spring have no diuretic effect.
Different processing methods also result in different diuretic effects. Raw Ze Xie, wine-processed Ze Xie, and bran-processed Ze Xie all have certain diuretic effects, while salt-processed Ze Xie has no effect. However, in Wu Ling San (a combination of Ze Xie, Fu Ling, Bai Zhu, and Gui Zhi in a ratio of 4:3:3:2), both raw Ze Xie and salt-processed Ze Xie show diuretic effects.
Healthy individuals who take Ze Xie decoction orally can increase urine volume, sodium, and urea excretion.
【Contraindications of 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 sea clams and razor clams; it should be avoided in cases of weak kidney qi, slippery essence, diarrhea due to cold and deficiency, and eye pain. In other words, Ze Xie and sea clams or razor clams are mutually exclusive in traditional Chinese medicine theory.
Traditional Chinese medicine has the concept of "eighteen antagonisms and nineteen fears", and Ze Xie and sea clams or razor clams are a pair of mutually feared substances. In addition, it should not be used in individuals with kidney deficiency and slippery essence.
It is also worth noting that Ze Xie has a certain hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity, and long-term use is not recommended to avoid damage to the liver and kidneys.
【Compatibility of Ze Xie】
Ze Xie combined with Yin Chen and Hua Shi can treat jaundice.
Ze Xie combined with papaya, mulberry vine, chai hu, Cang Zhu, Zhu Ling, and Bi Xie in equal amounts can treat cold and dampness-induced athlete's foot.
It is often used in combination with Fu Ling, Zhu Ling, and Gui Zhi to treat edema caused by water retention and difficulty in urination.
Ze Xie can eliminate water dampness and phlegm, and is often used to treat the accumulation of phlegm and dampness, dizziness due to the failure of clear yang to ascend. It is commonly used in combination with Bai Zhu.
Ze Xie can promote urination and solidify bowel movements, and is used to treat spleen and stomach cold damage, indistinction between water and grain, and incessant diarrhea. It is often used in combination with Hou Po, Cang Zhu, and Chen Pi.
