É Zhú (莪术) — Zedoary Rhizome

On this page

1. Overview
2. Properties
3. Actions and indications
4. Modern research
5. Cautions and contraindications
6. Treatment at my clinic

1. Overview

É Zhú (莪术) is the dried rhizome of Curcuma zedoaria, also called white turmeric or zedoary. It belongs to the category of Herbs that strongly invigorate the Blood in the Chinese Materia Medica and is the standard pair-herb with Sān Léng — the two share an essentially identical clinical role and are almost always prescribed together for stubborn Blood-stasis abdominal masses, fibroids and chronic dysmenorrhoea.

I prescribe É Zhú as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

2. Properties

3. Actions and indications

Principal actions

1. Strongly breaks Blood stasis and moves Qi
2. Disperses accumulations and reduces masses
3. Eases food stagnation and abdominal distension

Indications

1. Long-standing Blood-stasis abdominal masses (Zhēng Jiǎ), uterine fibroids
2. Severe dysmenorrhoea and amenorrhoea from Blood stasis
3. Chronic food stagnation with palpable epigastric masses

4. Modern research

Curcuma zedoaria contains a wide spectrum of sesquiterpenes (curcumol, curdione, zederone), curcuminoids and volatile oils. Studies report anti-tumour activity in several cell lines, antithrombotic effects, anti-inflammatory action and hepatoprotection. Curcumol and curdione have been the focus of research interest. In China, Sān Léng-É Zhú combinations are used as adjunctive therapy in some oncology and gynaecology protocols.

5. Cautions and contraindications

Contraindicated in pregnancy. Avoid in patients with heavy menstrual bleeding and bleeding disorders. Use with caution alongside anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs. As with Sān Léng, the herb is reserved for clearly diagnosed Blood-stasis patterns and used for limited periods.

Important: Chinese herbs should always be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist who is a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto is a member of the RCHM with over 25 years of clinical experience.

6. Treatment at my clinic

I prescribe É Zhú as part of tailored herbal formulas for selected presentations of fibroids, endometriosis with marked Blood stasis, and chronic stagnation patterns with abdominal masses. Every prescription is individually formulated following a full TCM assessment.

I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Online Chinese herbal medicine consultations are available.

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