Qu Mai – Fringed Pink – Herba Dianthi

Qu Mai, also known as Dianthi Herba or Fringed Pink Herb, is a bitter and cold herb used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to promote urination, clear damp-heat, invigorate the blood, and unblock menstrual flow. It is especially effective for treating urinary tract infections, painful urination, and damp-heat in the lower burner. Qu Mai is also used for gynecological conditions involving blood stasis or irregular menstruation.
Functions & Benefits
Promotes Urination & Clears Damp-HeatQu Mai is commonly used to treat painful urinary dysfunction (lin syndrome) caused by damp-heat, especially when symptoms include burning urination, urgency, and dark or scanty urine. It helps clear heat from the Bladder and promotes smooth urination.
Invigorates Blood & Regulates MenstruationThis herb activates blood circulation and is used in gynecological disorders with delayed or painful menstruation due to blood stasis. It is suitable for use in formulas that treat menstrual irregularities accompanied by pelvic discomfort or clots.
Unblocks the Lower BurnerQu Mai has a descending nature and clears stagnation in the lower jiao. It is often used in conditions that involve obstruction or inflammation in the urinary tract or uterus due to damp-heat or blood stasis.
Supports Urogenital HealthIn modern clinical use, Qu Mai is often combined with other herbs for urinary tract infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, and damp-heat conditions of the genital system. It can also be used in support of conditions like cystitis or urethritis.
Indications
Burning, painful, or difficult urination due to damp-heat in the BladderDark, scanty urine or urinary urgency associated with inflammationDelayed menstruation, dysmenorrhea, or clotted menstrual flow from blood stasisLower abdominal pain or pelvic discomfort from stagnationSupport for urinary tract infections, PID, or genital damp-heat
Tongue & Pulse Diagnosis in TCM
Tongue: Red with yellow, greasy coating, especially in the rear thirdPulse: Slippery and rapid, indicating damp-heat; may also be wiry in blood stasis conditions
Common TCM Patterns Treated by Qu Mai
Qu Mai treats Damp-Heat in the Bladder, Blood Stasis in the Uterus, and Lower Jiao Obstruction. These patterns often include symptoms such as urinary difficulty, burning urination, pelvic pain, or irregular menstruation with clots.
Precautions & Contraindications
Contraindicated during pregnancy due to its blood-invigorating and descending propertiesUse with caution in cases of Spleen Qi Deficiency with cold or loose stoolsNot appropriate for urinary issues without heat or damp signsAvoid in patients with excessive bleeding or Yin Deficiency heat without damp-heat
Conclusion
Qu Mai is a cold, bitter herb that clears damp-heat from the lower burner, promotes urination, and invigorates blood to relieve menstrual obstruction. It is especially useful in urinary tract infections and gynecological conditions with blood stasis. Its descending