Bian Xu (萹蓄) — Common Knotweed
Bian Xu is a specific Chinese herb for Damp-Heat urinary problems — painful hot scanty urination. Together with Qu Mai, it forms the classical pair for Lin syndrome (acute urinary tract infection).
On this page
- Overview
- Properties
- Actions and indications
- Dosage
- Cautions and incompatibilities
- Key formulas
- Treatment at my clinic
1. Overview
Bian Xu (萹蓄) — Common Knotweed (Polygonum aviculare) — is a Chinese herb in the Drain Dampness category. I prescribe it as part of bespoke pharmaceutical-grade granule formulas from Sun Ten in Taiwan at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire and via online herbal consultations.
2. Properties
| Pinyin name | Bian Xu |
|---|---|
| Chinese characters | 萹蓄 |
| Latin name | Polygonum aviculare |
| English name | Common Knotweed |
| Nature | Slightly cold |
| Flavour | Bitter |
| Channels entered | Bladder |
| Category | Drain Dampness |
3. Actions and indications
Principal actions
- Clears Damp-Heat
- Promotes urination
- Kills worms (traditional)
Indications
- Damp-Heat urinary tract infection
- Painful scanty urination (Lin syndrome)
- Vaginal itching with Damp-Heat
- Intestinal parasites
4. Dosage
9–15g
5. Cautions and incompatibilities
- Not for weak elderly patients
- Reduce in Spleen-Cold
6. Key formulas
7. Treatment at my clinic
I prescribe Bian Xu where its indications and TCM pattern match the patient’s presentation, always as part of a tailored formula. Return to the Chinese herbs directory or the Chinese herbal medicine main page.
