Zi He Che紫河车
Hominis Placenta · Human Placenta
Overview
Dried human placenta, traditionally processed and ground to a powder — classed among the flesh-and-blood tonics that are said to supplement essence directly rather than through the Spleen. Sweet, salty and warm, it enters the Lung, Liver and Kidney to boost qi, nourish blood and consolidate essence, and it was reached for in wasting conditions, chronic wheezing and infertility. It is also the entry in this reference with the largest gap between tradition and current practice: it was removed from the Chinese Pharmacopoeia in 2015, it is prohibited or tightly restricted in many jurisdictions, and human tissue carries a blood-borne infection risk that processing does not reliably remove. Most contemporary practitioners substitute other yang-and-essence tonics.
Nature & Flavor
Sweet, salty · WarmChannels
Lung · Liver · KidneyTypical Dosage
1.5–3 gActions
4 core actions
- Supplements essence, boosts the KidneyTraditionally used for depleted essence — soreness of the lower back and knees, dizziness and tinnitus, impotence, and infertility attributed to Kidney emptiness.
- Augments qi and nourishes bloodLong-standing depletion after illness or childbirth: pallor, exhaustion, poor appetite, scant breast milk.
- Assists the Kidney in grasping qiChronic wheezing and breathlessness on exertion in the Kidney-deficiency pattern, where the Lung cannot hold the breath down.
- How it is preparedThe fresh tissue is cleaned, steamed or scalded, dried and powdered; it is taken as a powder in capsules or pills because decoction destroys much of what it is valued for and the taste is difficult.
In Formulas
Formulas containing Zi He Che
No published formula lists this herb yet — the library is growing.
Indications & Clinical Uses
- Kidney-essence depletion with lower back and knee weakness, dizziness, tinnitus
- Chronic wheezing of Kidney deficiency
- Post-illness or postpartum depletion with pallor and fatigue
- Insufficient lactation
Note that these are the traditional indications; availability and legality are addressed under cautions.
Western Medical Keywords
Searchable condition terms
Contraindications
Cautions
This is human tissue, and the practical cautions outweigh the traditional ones. It was withdrawn from 《中华人民共和国药典》 in the 2015 edition; its collection, processing and sale are prohibited or tightly controlled in many countries, including much of Europe and North America. Blood-borne pathogens cannot be reliably excluded by ordinary processing, and donor screening is rarely verifiable in the supply chain. Traditionally it is also warm and cloying: it is unsuitable where there is heat from yin deficiency, an unresolved exterior pattern, food stagnation, or an acute febrile illness. Where a patient wants this action, discuss substitutes with the prescribing practitioner rather than sourcing it independently.
Contraindicated in pregnancy: Not used during pregnancy — it is a warm essence tonic given after childbirth or in chronic depletion, not during gestation; a practitioner should be consulted before any use.
For licensed practitioners’ reference only
References
- Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
2. 《中华本草》 (modern comprehensive materia medica).
3. Removed from 《中华人民共和国药典》 as of the 2015 edition; check local law before any clinical use.
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.