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Cura x Cura

Shi Wei石苇

Pyrrosiae Folium · Pyrrosia Leaf

Herbs that Drain Dampness 利水渗湿药Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing 《神农本草经》

Overview

A fern leaf, also written, that is bitter, sweet and slightly cold and works mainly on the Bladder: it opens up hot, urgent, burning urination and is a lead herb where there is blood or gravel in the urine. Its cooling reach extends to the Lung as well, so it is used for a hot cough, and it cools the blood enough to check bleeding without being a dedicated haemostatic. It clears and drains rather than supplements, and does not suit dryness or deficiency without heat.

Nature & Flavor

Bitter, sweet · Slightly cold

Channels

Lung · Urinary Bladder

Typical Dosage

6–9 g in decoction
石苇Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Promotes urination, unblocks painful dribblingBurning, urgent, frequent or difficult urination; damp-heat lin patterns including gravel in the urine and blood-tinged urine.
  • Cools the blood, checks bleedingBlood in the urine, and uterine bleeding where heat is part of the picture.
  • Clears the Lung, stops coughCough and wheezing from Lung heat, with thick or scanty sputum.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Shi Wei

No published formula lists this herb yet — the library is growing.

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Burning, urgent, difficult urination from damp-heat
    - Gravel or stones in the urinary tract, blood-tinged urine
    - Uterine bleeding with heat signs
    - Cough and wheezing from Lung heat

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Urinary tract infectionCystitisKidney stonesHaematuriaCough

Contraindications

Cautions

Cold and draining: unsuitable for yin deficiency with dryness, and for frequent urination arising from cold or deficiency rather than from damp-heat. Urinary tract infection, blood in the urine and suspected stones need medical assessment — this herb belongs inside that care, not instead of it.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: No specific pregnancy restriction — practitioner judgment applies, and urinary symptoms in pregnancy should always be assessed medically.

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.