The effects of the Chinese herb Alisma (Ze Xie)

Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma) is a commonly used traditional Chinese herb with broad efficacy and multiple functions, primarily including the following aspects:

1. Promoting diuresis and reducing edema: Zexie is a common diuretic herb that helps eliminate excess fluid and reduce swelling. It can be used to treat edema caused by various factors, whether due to malnutrition or kidney essence deficiency, by regulating the body's fluid balance.

2. Clearing heat and detoxifying: As a cold-natured herb, Zexie has the effect of clearing heat and detoxification. It helps eliminate internal heat and alleviate symptoms such as sore and swollen throat, dry bowel movements, and dark-colored urine.

3. Resolving dampness: Zexie also promotes the elimination of dampness and is commonly used for individuals suffering from excessive dampness. It can effectively treat discomforts such as burning sensations and fatigue caused by damp-heat in the bladder.

The main actions of Zexie are promoting urination, resolving dampness, and clearing heat. It is suitable for conditions such as edema, difficult urination, phlegm-dampness causing dizziness. However, it is contraindicated for individuals with kidney deficiency accompanied by spermatorrhea or those without damp-heat symptoms.