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He Zi诃子

Chebulae Fructus · Chebula Fruit · Myrobalan

Astringent Herbs 收涩药《药性论》

Overview

The dried fruit of Terminalia chebula, bitter, sour and strongly astringent. It binds a leaking intestine and restores a Lung that has lost its grip on qi — chronic diarrhea, rectal prolapse, and the long hoarse cough where the voice has gone. Dry-fried the astringency dominates and it turns toward the intestines; used raw it keeps enough coolness to clear the throat and open the voice.

Nature & Flavor

Bitter, sour, astringent · Neutral

Channels

Lung · Large Intestine

Typical Dosage

3–10 g in decoction
诃子Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Binds the intestines, stops chronic diarrheaLong-standing diarrhea or dysentery and rectal prolapse — once the pathogen has gone and only leakage remains. The dry-fried fruit is preferred.
  • Contains Lung qi, stops chronic coughChronic weak cough and wheeze with no exterior pathogen left to expel.
  • Benefits the throat, restores the voiceHoarseness and loss of voice from heat or from overuse; the raw fruit is the one used here.

In Formulas

Formulas containing He Zi

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Chronic diarrhea and dysentery, rectal prolapse
    - Long-standing weak cough and wheeze
    - Hoarseness and loss of voice

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Chronic diarrheaHoarsenessLaryngitisChronic cough

Contraindications

Cautions

Astringents trap what should still be expelled: do not use in early diarrhea or dysentery with damp-heat, in food stagnation, while an exterior pathogen is still present, or in a cough with active phlegm-heat. If diarrhea returns with fever or blood, stop and have the cause investigated rather than raising the dose.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: No specific restriction — practitioner judgment applies

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    2. 《中华人民共和国药典》.
    3. 《中华本草》.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.