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Cura x Cura

Shi Hu石斛

Dendrobii Caulis · Dendrobium Stem

Herbs that Tonify the Yin 补阴药《神农本草经》

Overview

An epiphytic orchid stem, sweet and slightly cold, used where fluids have been burned away and the Stomach has been left dry: a mouth that stays parched, a poor appetite with a peeled or mirror-like tongue, and a low-grade fever that lingers after an illness has otherwise passed. It enriches Stomach yin first and Kidney yin second, and in the Kidney role it is combined with eye-brightening herbs for dim, dry vision and with tonics for a weak, aching low back. Tie Pi Shi Hu (Dendrobium officinale) is the most prized grade; dried stems are decocted for longer than most herbs.

Nature & Flavor

Sweet · Slightly cold

Channels

Stomach · Kidney

Typical Dosage

6–12 g in decoction
石斛Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Benefits the Stomach, generates fluidsDry mouth and thirst, poor appetite, dry retching and a peeled or mirror tongue after a febrile illness or long-standing dryness.
  • Nourishes yin, clears deficiency heatLow-grade afternoon fever, night sweats and irritability where yin has been depleted; wasting-and-thirsting patterns.
  • Brightens the eyes, strengthens the low backDry, dim or blurred vision and weak aching lumbar region and knees from Liver and Kidney yin deficiency.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Shi Hu

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Dry mouth, thirst and poor appetite with a peeled tongue
    - Lingering low-grade fever and night sweats after illness
    - Wasting-and-thirsting patterns with persistent thirst
    - Dim or dry vision, weak aching low back and knees

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Dry mouthConvalescenceDiabetes-related thirstDry eyes

Contraindications

Cautions

Enriching and cooling, so it can hold a pathogen in: avoid in the early stage of a febrile illness, where damp-warmth has not yet turned to dryness, and in Spleen and Stomach deficiency cold with loose stools and a greasy tongue coat. Quality and species vary widely on the market — use pharmacopoeial material from a licensed supplier.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: No specific pregnancy restriction — practitioner judgment applies.

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.