- Region
- Europe
- Origin
- Europe, Asia, Africa (north)
- Other names
- Ze xie
Europe · Herb · № 339
Alisma plantago-aquatica (syn. A. orientale)
Herb · Europe
Water plantain (ze xie)
Alisma plantago-aquatica (syn. A. orientale)
Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, lowers blood pressure, antibacterial, cleanses the liver.
Safety notes
Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Chinese materia medica: Not with discharge or seminal emission from kidney yang deficiency or with cold dampness.
Preparation
Rhizome.
Use in traditions
In Chinese medicine the rhizome of the related Alisma orientale (ze xie) is an important remedy for draining fluid, among others in the classic prescription Liu Wei Di Huang Wan. In Europe the plant was little used; the fresh root is pungent and irritating.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Herbal medicine worldwide
Attributed effects
Diuretic, lowers blood pressure, antibacterial, cleanses the liver.
Preparation and amount
Rhizome.
Chinese materia medica
- Nature and taste
- sweet, cold
- Meridians
- kidney, bladder
Attributed effects
Ze xie (Alisma orientale) promotes urination in oedema, difficult urination and acute diarrhoea, and drains damp heat from the lower burner, also when it arises from kidney yin deficiency with dizziness and tinnitus.
Preparation and amount
Traditional dosage: 6–12 g a day, usually in a decoction. As rice porridge: roast and grind 10 g, cook 50 g rice in four cups of water and stir in the powder; twice a day for three days.
Combinations
- With plantain seed, akebia, gardenia and talc for painful urination
- In liu wei di huang wan to keep the kidney yin tonics in balance
Caution: Not with discharge or seminal emission from kidney yang deficiency or with cold dampness.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- DecoctionPowder and kitchen