Yin Tonics
Shi Hu (Herba Dendrobii) in TCM
Naming
Shi Hu (Herba Dendrobii)——Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Shen Nong’s Herbal)
The Processing of Shi Hu
Origin
The stem of the perennial herbaceous plant Dendrobium loddigesis Rolfe., D. fimbriatum Hook. var. oculatum Hook., D. chrysanthum Wall., D. candidum Wall. ex Lindl., or D. nobile Lindl. of family Orchi-daceae.
Location
Mainly cultivated in Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou provinces in China.
Harvest
Collected all the year round, in autumn better.
The actual smell and taste
Slightly bitter.
Best quality
Golden, lustrous and pliable.
Processing
Unprocessed.
The Effect of Shi Hu
Property
Sweet, slightly cold; stomach and kidney meridians entered.
Actions
Nourish yin of stomach and kidney, clear heat of stomach and descend kidney fire.
Indications
A. Stomach yin deficiency syndromes
It is indicated for low fever, thirst, dryness in mouth and throat, discomfort, and slight or burning pain in stomach and abdomen due to stomach yin deficiency with heat, because it can nourish stomach yin, produce fluid to relieve thirst and clear stomach heat. It is usually combined with yin-nourishing and fluid-producing herbs. For dryness thirst, dry tongue with dry coating due to fluid hurted by heat, it is combined with Tian Hua Fen, Sheng Di Huang and Mai Dong in Qing Re Bao Jin Tang from Shi Bing Lun. For dryness in mouth and throat, red tongue with little coating due to stomach yin deficiency, it is decocted singly and used instead of tea, or combined with Mai Dong, Yu Zhu, etc.
B. Kidney yin deficiency syndromes
It is indicated for bone-steaming tidal fever due to yin deficiency with effulgent fire, or dim and poor vision, atrophy-flaccidity of tendon and bone due to kidney yin deficiency, because it can nourish kidney yin and dcscend deficiency fire. It should be combined with yin-nourishing, kidney-tonifying and symptom-suiting herbs. For bone-steaming tidal fever due to yin deficiency with effulgent fire, it is commonly combined with yin-nourishing, deficiency-heat-clearing herbs, such as Sheng Di Huang, Gou Qi Zi, Huang Bai and Hu Huang Lian. For dim and poor vision kidney yin deficiency, it is combined with kidney and liver-nourishing and sight-improving herbs. For instance, it is used with Gou Qi Zi, Shu Di Huang and Tu Si Zi in Shi Hu Ye Guang Wan from Yuan Ji Qi Wei (Introduction of Essence of Medicine). For atrophy-flaccidity of tendon and bone due to kidney yin deficiency, it is combined with kidney and liver-nourishing, tendon and bone-strengthening herbs, such as Shu Di Huang, Shan Zhu Yu, Du Zhong and Niu Xi.
Dosage and Administrations
Decoct 10~15 g; the fresh 15~30 g.
Sources and further reading
We cite classical materia medica and modern reference works. This article is health education, not medical advice.
- Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), Han dynasty.
- Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen, 1578.
- Chinese Pharmacopoeia, current edition — identity, quality and safety monographs.
- NCCIH and WHO reference material on traditional medicine safety.
Spotted an error or a better source? Tell us — corrections are logged on our editorial policy page.
Did this article help you?
Your answer shapes what gets rewritten next.
Keep readingRelated entries
Tian Dong (Cochinchnese Asparagus Root)
Tian Dong (Cochinchnese Asparagus Root): nourish yin of lung and stomach, clear heat of lung and stomach, nourish kidney to clear effulgent fire.
Shi Hu: Chinese Herb Guide
It is mainly cultivated in Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou provinces, and collected all year round, though autumn is the better season.
Wei Rui (Fragrant Solomonseal Rhizome)
Yu Zhu (Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati). The rhizome of the perennial Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce of family Liliaceae
Something this article did not cover?
Ask us directly. We reply within two days, and good questions become public articles.
Ask a question →