Bi Xie

Properties Nature & Flavor: Bitter, Neutral. Meridian Affiliation: Liver, Stomach, and Urinary Bladder meridians. Dosage Decoct 10–15 g. Contraindication: Use with caution or avoid in patients with Kidney Yin Deficiency. Functions & Indications 1. Promotes urination and eliminates dampness; separates the clear from the turbid. Used for: Turbid painful urinary dysfunction (膏淋) Milky or cloudy urine (白浊) Excessive vaginal discharge (leukorrhea) Cloudy urination Whitish urine resembling rice-water 2. Dispels Wind-Dampness and alleviates Bi syndrome. Used for: Wind-Damp painful obstruction (Bi syndrome) Joint pain and stiffness Limited joint mobility Pain and weakness of the lower back and knees Modern Research Dioscorea Hypoglauca Rhizome (Bi Xie) contains various steroidal saponins, including dioscin. Upon hydrolysis, the total saponins yield diosgenin and related steroidal sapogenins. It also contains tannins, starch, proteins, and other constituents. Studies have demonstrated that dioscin and gracillin possess antifungal activity. Classical References Herbal Name: Bi Xie (萆薢) Synonyms: Fen Bei Shu Yu (粉背薯蓣), Zhu Mu (竹木), Chi Jie (赤节), Bai Ba Qia (白菝葜), Jin Gang (金刚), Tu Shu Yu (土薯蓣), Chuan Bi Xie (川萆薢), among others. Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Divine Farmer's Classic of Materia Medica) "Bi Xie is bitter in flavor and neutral in nature. It treats pain of the lower back and spine, strengthens the bones and joints, dispels Wind-Cold-Dampness, relieves generalized Bi syndrome, promotes the healing of chronic sores, and clears pathogenic heat. It grows naturally in mountain valleys." Ben Cao Gang Mu (Compendium of Materia Medica) "Bi Xie enters the Foot Yangming (Stomach) and Foot Jueyin (Liver) meridians. The Liver governs the tendons and is associated with Wind, while the Stomach governs the flesh and is associated with Dampness. Bi Xie excels at eliminating Wind-Dampness; therefore, it is effective in treating weakness, chronic Bi syndrome, persistent sores, turbid urinary discharge, and other disorders caused by Wind-Dampness." It also states: "It treats turbid urinary discharge accompanied by pain in the urethra." Yi Xue San Zi Jing (Three-Character Classic of Medicine) "Bi Xie is cooling in nature. It benefits the Urinary Bladder, clears turbid urinary discharge, and resolves Damp-related sores." (Bitter in flavor, non-toxic, and descending in action. It enters the Kidney and Urinary Bladder meridians. It treats pain of the lower back and spine, strengthens the bones and joints, and alleviates painful Bi syndrome.)