Single Herb Glossary
Zhī Mǔ 知母
| Pharmaceutical name | Anemarrhenae (Asphodeloides) Rhizoma “know mother” |
| Category | Clear Heat, Drain Fire |
| Key Properties | Clears fire Nourishes LU, ST, KD Yin |
| Properties | Bitter Sweet Cold |
| Tropism | LU, ST, KD |
| Actions & Indications | 1) Clears Heat & Drains Fire (4 Bigs) 2) Enriches Yin & Moistens Dryness (night sweat, steaming bone, 5 center heat, false libido) 3) Generates Fluids & Clears Heat (ulcers, wasting & thirsting) 4) Ameliorates the Dryness of Tonifying or Warming Substances |
| Dosages | 6-12g |
| Contraindications (TCM) | Cold from SP & ST Deficiency, KD Deficiency, diarrhea |
| Contraindications (Western) | |
| Chemical Composition | Timosaponin, mangiferin, sarsasapogenin, markogenin, neogitogenin, anemarns A,B,C,D |
| Pharmacological Effects | • Antidiabetic: in healthy rabbits, oral ingestion at 200 mg/kg decreased blood glucose levels between 18% and 30% for up to 6 hours; in rabbits with diabetes mellitus, oral ingestion at 500 mg/kg for 4 days reduced blood glucose levels and minimized atrophy of pancreas; anemarns A, B, C, and D all have antidiabetic effect, with B being most potent • Antipyretic: slow onset but prolonged duration, while same action of Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum) has a rapid onset but short duration; thus, these two herbs have synergistic effects and are often combined • Antibiotic: inhibitory effects against S. aureus, α- and β-hemolytic streptococcus, Salmonella typhi, E. coli, Bacillus subtilis, Vibrio cholerae, and Pseudomonas spp., Mycobacterium spp., and dermatophytes • Others: antineoplastic and cholagogic activities |
| Herb-Drug Interactions | • Antidiabetics: use with caution with insulin, sulfonylureas, and other antidiabetic medications; combination of antidiabetic herbs and drugs may have a synergistic effect, leading to hypoglycemia |
| Classical Formula(s) |
Ren Shen Ge Jie San (Ginseng and gecko powder) 人參蛤蚧散 Xin Yi Qing Fei Yin (Magnolia Flower Drink to Clear the Lungs) 辛夷清肺飲 Er Xian Tang (Two-Immortal Decoction) 二仙湯 Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang (Cinnamon Twig, Peony, and Anemarrhena Decoction) 桂枝芍藥知母湯 Qin Jiao Bie Jia San (Large gentian and Soft-Shelled Turtle Shell Powder) 秦艽鱉甲散 Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang (sweet Wormwood and Soft-Shelled Turtle Shell Decoction) 青蒿鳖甲汤 Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang (Clear Summerheat and Augment the Qi Decoction) 清暑益氣湯 Suan Zao Ren Tang (Sour Jujube Decoction) 酸棗仁湯 (酸枣仁汤) Yu Ye Tang (Jade Fluid Decoction) 玉液湯 Bai Hu Tang (White Tiger decoction) 白虎湯 Da Yuan Yin (Reach the Source Drink) 達原飲 Qing Gu San (Cool the Bones Powder) 清骨散 Yu Nu Jian (Jade Woman Decoction) 玉女煎 Zi Yin Jiang Huo Tang (Decoction to Enrich the Yin and Direct Fire Downward) 滋陰降火湯 |
This information is a reference tool for Chinese herbal studies. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Please consult a primary health professional if you require health advisory.