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Qu Mai瞿麦

Dianthi Herba · Fringed Pink · Dianthus Herb

Herbs that Drain Dampness 利水渗湿药《神农本草经》

Overview

The flowering herb of fringed pink, a cold downward-moving diuretic for hot urinary difficulty. Bitter and cold, it enters the Heart and Small Intestine to drive heat out through the urine — burning, scanty, painful urination, urinary stones and blood in the urine — and it is one of the eight ingredients of Ba Zheng San. A second, blunter action follows from the same downward force: it breaks blood stasis and moves stopped menses, which is why it is kept well away from pregnancy.

Nature & Flavor

Bitter · Cold

Channels

Heart · Small Intestine

Typical Dosage

9–15 g in decoction
瞿麦Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

2 core actions

  • Promotes urination, frees painful dribblingBurning, scanty, painful urination; stones and blood in the urine; damp-heat in the lower burner.
  • Breaks blood stasis, unblocks mensesAmenorrhea and abdominal masses from blood stasis.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Qu Mai

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Burning painful urination, urinary tract infection
    - Urinary stones and blood in the urine
    - Damp-heat swelling with scanty urine
    - Amenorrhea from blood stasis (in formula)

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Urinary tract infectionKidney stonesHematuriaDysuria

Contraindications

Cautions

Cold and strongly draining: not for Spleen or Kidney deficiency, frail chronically ill patients, or anyone passing copious clear urine. Its blood-breaking action makes it unsuitable during heavy menstrual bleeding. Use it while the damp-heat lasts, not as a long-term diuretic.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Contraindicated in pregnancy — it breaks blood stasis and moves the menses.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing《神农本草经》(classical source, public domain).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.

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.