Anemarrhena Rhizoma (zhi mu) 知母

Nature: Cold; bitter and sweet; attributive to kidneys, lungs and stomach.

Characteristics: The thick rhizomes, root-like stems of the perennial herb covered with erect yellowish or reddish hairs. It is a general herb famous for its nutritive, tonic, anti-inflammative, sedative and diuretic effects. Prolonged use may cause chronic loose bowels.

Therapeutic effects: Nourish kidney-yin; suppress hypertension and anxiety due to stress, hectic fever and night sweat, thirst, internal heat in the lungs; moisturize dryness which causes constipation; treat impotence and insufficient erection due to adrenal deficiency; reduce swelling.