Bian Xu扁蓄
Herba Polygoni AvicularisKnotgrass
Also known asKnotweed · Polygonum
- Category
- Herbs that drain Dampness
- Nature
- slightly cold
- Taste
- bitter
- Channels entered
- Bladder
- Dosage
- 8–16 g
Usual doses
- Dosage
- 8–16 g
- Tincture
- 2–4 ml
Actions & indications
- Drains Damp-Heat from the Urinary Bladder, promotes urination and unblocks painful urinary dysfunction
- Damp-Heat Painful Urinary Dysfunction (Lin Syndrome)
- Damp-Heat jaundice
- Expels parasites and stops itching
- Damp lesions with itch including tinea
- Intestinal parasites such as tapeworm, hookworm and pinworm
Contraindications
- Avoid for difficult urination caused by abdominal weakness.
- Excessive dosing may lead to Qi Deficiency.
- May cause dermatitis or gastrointestinal upset.
- Excessive consumption can deplete Jing.
Interactions
When taken together with diuretics — including chlorothiazide, hydrochlorothiazide, furmoside (Lasix), bumetinide (Bumex), and torsemide (Demadex) — this herb may increase the loss of water and/or electrolytes.
Combinations
Damp-Heat in the Lower Jiao, or Stone Lin with urinary discomfort.
- Xiao Ji
- Bai Mao Gen
- (Pu Huang )
Blood (Xue) Lin.
Stone Lin.
- Di Fu Zi
- (Ku Shen)
Used topically as a wash for genital itching from Damp-Heat.
Roundworms.
Applied externally as a wash for pinworms.
Painful urinary dysfunction.
Damp-Heat dysuria. (Shi-Re Lin)
- Da Huang
- Yin Chen Hao
- Zhi Zi
Jaundice.
Notes
- It suits presentations where Heat and Dampness are equally pronounced.
- It is also used for Damp-Heat jaundice, dysenteric disorders from Damp-Heat, Damp-Heat sores, and itchy rashes.
- It addresses weeping rashes, hemorrhoids, the three parasites, sudden turmoil disorder, and vaginal erosion.
- As a topical wash, it can relieve itching caused by parasites.
- Bian Xu and Hb. Dianthi Qu Mai both clear Heat and remove pathogenic water to relieve painful urinary dysfunction, and are frequently combined for burning, painful, difficult urination. Bian Xu, bitter and downward-directing, enters the Bladder directly to cool Damp-Heat and is superior for scanty, dark, difficult-to-pass urine from Damp-Heat, and can also treat Damp-Heat jaundice. Qu Mai supports the Small Intestine in guiding Internal Heat outward and is better for burning urinary pain or hematuria from Heat; it also breaks up Blood Stasis and opens the channels to treat amenorrhea.
- Western herbal medicine also uses Bian Xu for gout and rheumatism.