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More Information:
Other
Common Names
Alisma
Page
Number In Radiant Health
200
Pharmaceutical
Latin
Rhizoma Alismatis
Pinyin
Ze Xie
Treasures
Qi
Treasure
Rating
*1/2
Atmospheric
Energy
Cold
Taste
mildly sweet
Organ
Meridian Systems
Kidney and Bladder
Part Used and Form
tuber, which is sliced, dried in the sunlight, and
stir-baked with wheat bran or salt water.
Primary
Functions
Expelling dampness, inducing urination, and eliminating
pathogenic heat by treating false fire conditions of the
Kidney
Qualities
Alisma is a very commonly used herb in Chinese herbalism.
It helps strengthen water metabolism, which is a
critical bodily function. It rids the body of excess
dampness through the urinary tract. It is mild and safe
with mild tonic qualities, especially to the Kidney and
Bladder, and to the Spleen and Stomach as well. It is an
excellent herb to use in a tonic program by those who
need to stimulate fluid function, so long as you do not
have a cold constitution.
It is used in medicinal herbalism to treat damp heat
conditions, which means conditions that are associated
with chronic or acute infections. It is one of the
primary herbs used to treat damp heat conditions
associated with the Kidney and Bladder system, such as
leukorrhea, where the discharge is yellow or urinary
tract infections. It is also used to treat conditions
such as lung congestion where the phlegm is tinged
yellow or green are examples. It is often used for
obesity, especially for people who carry a lot of water
weight and tend to have rosy complexions. It is also
commonly used by people who have difficulty urinating
and by diabetics. It is used routinely by older men to
help cleans the prostate gland and improve urinary
function. If you are experiencing a medical condition
which you think involves an infection, see a doctor
immediately. Urinary tract infections can be serious and
can spread quickly to internal organs. Don't take a
chance. However, you can use Alisma along with most
antibiotics since it is a very safe herb. This is a
common practice in Japan and China. It can be used in
large quantities. In fact it usually requires fairly
large doses to do its best work.
Primary Combinations
Alisma is always used with other herbs. Combine with:
1. Poria and Atractylodes (red or white) to move fluids
and promote urination
2. Polyporus, Gardenia Flower, Moutan and Raw Rehmannia
to treat fire conditions of the Kidney system such as
bladder, urinary tract and vaginal infections
Varieties and Grading
It is an inexpensive herb. It comes sliced and dried.
But if it sits around too long it loses potency. Buy the
freshest Alisma you can find.
Contraindications
Don't use this herb if you are dehydrated. If you are
chilled all the time, this is not the right herb for you
since it has a cold atmospheric energy and will tend to
cool you down further.
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Alisma
is helps strengthen water metabolism, which is a
critical bodily function. It rids the body of excess
dampness through the urinary tract. It is mild and safe
with mild tonic qualities, especially to the Kidney and
Bladder, and to the Spleen and Stomach as well. It is an
excellent herb to use in a tonic program by those who
need to stimulate fluid function, so long as you do not
have a cold constitution.