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Zhi Mu知母

Anemarrhenae Rhizoma · Anemarrhena Rhizome · Common Anemarrhena

Herbs that Clear Heat 清热药《神农本草经》

Overview

The rhizome of a lily-family perennial, and one of the small group of heat-clearers that also moisten. Bitter, sweet and cold, it puts out blazing heat in the Lung and Stomach and, because it does more than drain, it replaces the fluids that heat has burned off. That is why it is paired with Shi Gao 石膏 for high fever with thirst and with Huang Bai 黄柏 for the low, restless heat of yin deficiency. Salt-fried Zhi Mu is directed downward to the Kidney and is preferred when the target is steaming bone heat and night sweating.

Nature & Flavor

Bitter, sweet · Cold

Channels

Lung · Stomach · Kidney

Typical Dosage

6–12 g in decoction
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Actions

3 core actions

  • Clears heat, drains fireHigh fever, intense thirst, irritability and a big surging pulse; the classic pairing with Shi Gao in Bai Hu Tang 白虎汤.
  • Nourishes yin, moistens drynessDry cough from Lung heat, wasting-thirst patterns with constant drinking, and dry stool from depleted fluids.
  • Quells deficient fireAfternoon fever, night sweats, warm palms and soles and restlessness from yin deficiency; with Huang Bai in Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan 知柏地黄丸.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Zhi Mu

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • High fever with thirst and irritability
    - Dry cough or sticky phlegm from Lung heat
    - Wasting-thirst patterns with excessive drinking
    - Steaming bone fever, night sweats and warm palms

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

FeverType 2 diabetesNight sweatsDry coughMenopausal flushing

Contraindications

Cautions

Cold and moistening, so it burdens a weak digestion: not for loose stools, a poor appetite or a cold, deficient Spleen, and not for a fever that arises from cold rather than heat. Keep to the practitioner's amount and do not exceed 12 g a day. Anyone taking medication for blood glucose should tell the prescriber that this herb is in the formula, since the two are often used in the same clinical setting.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: No specific restriction — practitioner judgment applies; its coldness makes it a herb for a short course rather than continuous use during pregnancy.

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.