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Ou Jie藕节

Nelumbinis Nodus Rhizomatis · Lotus Root Node

Herbs that Stop Bleeding 止血药《药性论》

Overview

The knotted joint of the lotus rhizome, cut where one segment meets the next. Sweet and astringent with a neutral nature, it stops bleeding without locking stasis in behind it — the quality that keeps it in use for nosebleed, coughed or vomited blood, blood in the urine and uterine bleeding. Charred as Ou Jie Tan it loses most of its dispersing edge and becomes chiefly astringent, which is the form reached for when bleeding is heavy.

Nature & Flavor

Sweet, astringent · Neutral

Channels

Liver · Lung · Stomach

Typical Dosage

10–15 g in decoction
藕节Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Stops bleeding without retaining stasisNosebleed, coughed or vomited blood, blood in the urine or stool, and uterine bleeding — unusual among hemostatics in that it disperses a little even as it holds.
  • Cools the blood, disperses stasisUpper-body bleeding with heat signs; the fresh node or its juice is favoured here, often alongside Bai Mao Gen 白茅根.
  • Charred form for heavier bleedingOu Jie Tan is distinctly more astringent and much less dispersing; the plain node is preferred whenever stasis is a concern.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Ou Jie

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Nosebleed, coughing or vomiting of blood
    - Blood in the urine or stool
    - Uterine bleeding and heavy menstrual bleeding
    - Bleeding of blood heat where stasis should not be sealed in

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

EpistaxisHemoptysisHematuriaAbnormal uterine bleeding

Contraindications

Cautions

Not toxic, and eaten as a food as well as used as a medicine, so it is generally well tolerated. Being astringent, it is not used on its own where bleeding comes with marked stasis and fixed, severe pain.

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. Ben Cao Gang Mu《本草纲目》, lotus rhizome entry (classical source, public domain).

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.