Yu Zhu: Nourishing Yin and Moistening Dryness in Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Health Lab
- Jun 4
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 15
Yu Zhu, also known as Polygonatum or Solomon’s Seal, is the dried rhizome of the Polygonatum odoratum plant from the Liliaceae family. Renowned in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for its ability to nourish yin, moisten dryness, and quench thirst, Yu Zhu holds a significant place in herbal therapy.
Its use was first recorded in the Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer’s Materia Medica), classified as a top-grade herb, noted for treating “sudden stroke with fever, muscle stiffness, weak blood vessels, and promoting skin health, with long-term use removing facial dark spots and enhancing complexion.”
Over time, TCM scholars like Li Shizhen in the Ming Dynasty’s Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica) detailed Yu Zhu’s properties, emphasizing its ability to “nourish lung and stomach yin, moisten dryness, and relieve thirst.” Texts like Bencao Beiyao and Bencao Zhengyi further expanded its applications, making it widely used in clinical practice.
Properties of Yu Zhu
Nature and Meridian Affinity
Taste: Sweet
Nature: Neutral
Meridians: Lung, Stomach
Key Components
Yu Zhu contains polysaccharides, amino acids, vitamins, and other bioactive compounds, contributing to its pharmacological effects.
Main Functions
Nourishes yin and moistens dryness.
Generates fluids and quenches thirst.
Offers antioxidant, blood sugar-lowering, and immune-enhancing effects.
Clinical Uses of Yu Zhu
Yu Zhu is widely used in TCM to treat various conditions:
Nourishing Yin and Moisturizing Dryness: Yu Zhu hydrates the lungs and stomach, making it effective for dry cough, low sputum, dry throat, and thirst caused by yin deficiency.
Promoting Fluid and Quenching Thirst: It helps with excessive thirst due to heat-related fluid loss.
Other Uses: Yu Zhu is used for managing diabetes (known as "wasting-thirst" in TCM), rheumatic pain, dry skin, and dry eyes, especially for people who spend long hours on electronic devices.
Skin and Eye Benefits
Skin Health: Yu Zhu’s yin-nourishing properties help hydrate dry, rough skin, keeping it smooth and moisturized.
Eye Health: It can relieve dry eyes and blurry vision, making it beneficial for those who use screens frequently.
Yu Zhu in Classic TCM Formulas
Yu Zhu is often combined with other herbs in TCM formulas to enhance its effects. Here are some examples:
Yang yin Qing fei Tang (Nourish Yin and Clear Lung Decoction): Contains Yu Zhu, Rehmannia, Ophiopogon, Scrophularia, Peony, Licorice, Moutan, Mint, and Fritillaria. It nourishes yin, clears lung heat, and treats dry throat and cough with little phlegm.
Bai he Gu jin Tang (Lily Bulb Decoction to Strengthen Metal): Includes Yu Zhu, Lily, Rehmannia, Ophiopogon, Scrophularia, Fritillaria, Angelica, Peony, Platycodon, and Licorice. It nourishes lung and kidney yin, stops cough, and treats symptoms like coughing blood or night sweats.
Zeng ye Tang (Increase Fluid Decoction): Combines Yu Zhu with Scrophularia, Ophiopogon, and Rehmannia to relieve constipation caused by fluid deficiency.
Comparison with Similar Herbs
Yu Zhu shares some effects with other TCM herbs but has unique strengths:
Ophiopogon (Mai Dong): Nourishes yin and clears heart-related irritability, making it better for insomnia and restlessness compared to Yu Zhu.
Glehnia/Adenophora (Sha Shen): Nourishes lung or stomach yin, depending on the type (Northern Sha Shen for lungs, Southern Sha Shen for stomach), differing slightly from Yu Zhu’s balanced lung-stomach action.
Dendrobium (Shi Hu): Stronger at nourishing stomach yin and clearing heat, ideal for stomach-related yin deficiency.
Modern Applications and Research
Modern research highlights Yu Zhu’s diverse benefits:
Antioxidant Effects: Its polysaccharides help neutralize free radicals, slowing aging.
Blood Sugar Regulation: Yu Zhu may promote insulin secretion, aiding diabetes management.
Immune Support: It strengthens immunity, improving resistance to illness.
Anti-Fatigue: Yu Zhu boosts energy and reduces tiredness.
Beyond TCM, Yu Zhu is used in beauty products and supplements for its skin-hydrating and anti-aging properties. It also shows promise in treating dry syndrome, diabetes, and menopausal symptoms.
How to Use Yu Zhu Safely
Dosage
Typical dose: 9–15 grams, adjusted based on condition and doctor’s advice.
Precautions
Contraindications: Avoid in cases of spleen deficiency with dampness.
Drug Interactions: No major known interactions.
Side Effects: Rare, but some may experience mild stomach discomfort, which usually resolves after stopping use.
Usage Tips
Preparation: Can be boiled in decoctions, steeped as tea, or added to food.
Selection: Choose Yu Zhu that is soft, yellowish-white, and slightly translucent for best quality.
Conclusion
Yu Zhu is a versatile herb in TCM, valued for nourishing yin, relieving dryness, and promoting fluid production. Its applications range from treating coughs and thirst to improving skin and eye health. With a long history in classic formulas and growing modern uses in healthcare and beauty, Yu Zhu remains a powerful herb. Always consult a TCM practitioner for proper use to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Chinese Name | 玉竹 |
Chinese Pinyin | Yuzhu |
English Name | Fragrant Solomonseal Rhizome |
Latin Pharmaceutical Name | Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma |
Category | Roots and rhizomes |
Origin | The dried rhizome of Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce.(Liliaceae) |
Production Regions | Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Hunan, Henan, Jiangsu, Zhejiang. |
Macroscopic Features | Long cylindrical, slightly flat, lack of branches, 4~18cm long, 0.3~1.6cm diameter. Externally yellowish-white or pale yellowish-brown, translucent, with longitudinal wrinkles and slightly bulging nodes, with white round spots of rootlet scar and disc-like stem scars. Hard and brittle or slightly soft texture, easily broken, fractured surface is horn-like or granular. faint odor, sweet taste, sticky when chewed. |
Quality Requirements | Superior medicinal material is fat and strong, long, yellowish-white, smooth and glossy, translucent, sweet. |
Properties | Sweet, neutral |
Functions | Nourishes yin, moistens lung, nourishes stomach, engenders fluid. Apply to dry cough, strained cough, dry throat and thirst due to damage of yin and fluid caused by febrile disease, diabetes due to inner heat, and exterior disease due to yin deficiency, dizziness and vertigo, spasm pain of sinew. |
Comments