Dan Zhu Ye, also known as Lophatherum gracile or Lophatherum Stem and Leaves, is a sweet, bland, and cold herb used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to clear heat, promote urination, and relieve irritability. It is especially effective for heat in the Heart and Small Intestine channels, manifesting as mouth sores, irritability, scanty urination, or dark urine. Dan Zhu Ye is commonly used in febrile diseases, urinary tract issues, and mild anxiety or restlessness related to internal heat.
Functions & Benefits
Clears Heat & Eliminates Irritability
Dan Zhu Ye is a key herb for clearing internal heat from the Heart, especially when it leads to symptoms like restlessness, insomnia, or mouth ulcers. It is ideal for patients experiencing emotional tension, heat-induced irritability, or low-grade fever.
Promotes Urination & Clears Damp-Heat
This herb is frequently used to treat painful, difficult urination due to damp-heat in the urinary tract. It gently promotes urination to clear heat from the Small Intestine and lower burner, making it useful in urinary tract infections and dark, scanty urine.
Relieves Mouth Sores & Thirst
Dan Zhu Ye cools heat that rises to the mouth and tongue, helping with mouth ulcers, sore throat, and thirst. It is particularly helpful in febrile diseases that affect the oral cavity and digestion.
Gently Clears Summer-Heat
With its cooling and moistening effects, Dan Zhu Ye can be used for symptoms of summer-heat such as irritability, thirst, low fever, and urinary difficulty. It is suitable for use in hot, humid weather or febrile diseases.
Indications
Irritability, insomnia, or restlessness due to Heart heat.
Painful, burning, or scanty urination caused by damp-heat in the lower burner.
Mouth ulcers, swollen gums, or thirst during febrile illness.
Low-grade fever, especially during summer or warm climates.
Mild urinary tract infections or heat-related urinary symptoms.
Tongue & Pulse Diagnosis in TCM
Tongue: Red tip or edges with a thin yellow coating, indicating Heart or Small Intestine heat.
Pulse: Rapid and thin or slightly slippery, reflecting internal heat with mild dampness.
Common TCM Patterns Treated by Dan Zhu Ye
Dan Zhu Ye treats Heart Fire transferring to the Small Intestine, damp-heat in the lower burner, summer-heat with irritability, and oral heat signs. These patterns often involve symptoms like dark urine, mouth sores, emotional restlessness, and thirst.
Precautions & Contraindications
Not suitable for cold conditions or those with frequent, clear urination.
Use with caution in patients with Spleen Yang Deficiency or chronic urinary frequency.
May be too cooling for individuals with weak digestion if taken long-term.
Conclusion
Dan Zhu Ye is a gentle yet effective cooling herb that clears Heart heat, soothes irritability, and promotes urination. It is commonly used in febrile diseases, mild urinary tract infections, and emotional unrest due to internal heat. With its soothing nature and ability to treat both heat and damp-heat patterns, it is a valuable herb in many modern TCM applications.
