澤瀉
Alismatis rhizome (Zexie)

Pharmaceutical Name: Rhizoma Alismatis

Botanical Name: Alisma orientalis (Sam.) Juzep.

Common Name: Alismatis rhizome, Water plantain tuber

Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing

Part Used: The rhizomes are dug in winter. After the fibrous roots and bark have been removed, the rhizomes are soaked in water, cut into slices and dried in the sun.

Natural Properties & Taste: Sweet or no taste and cold

Meridians: Kidney and urinary bladder

Therapeutic Effects:
To transform dampness and promote water metabolism.

Indications & Combinations: Dysuria, turbid urine, edema, diarrhea and profuse leukorrhea, or retention of phlegm and fluids, leading to dizziness, vertigo, palpitation and cough. Alismatis rhizome (Zexie) is used with Poria (Fuling), Umbellate pore-fungus (Zhuling) and White atractylodes (Baizhu) in the formula Wuling San.

Dosage: 5-10 g