Hé Zǐ (诃子) — Chebula Fruit
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1. Overview
Hé Zǐ (诃子) — the fruit of Terminalia chebula, also known as chebula, chebulic myrobalan or haritaki in Ayurveda — is a powerful astringent Chinese herb that binds the Intestines, stops chronic diarrhoea, restrains Lung Qi to stop chronic cough, and benefits the throat to relieve hoarseness. It sits at the intersection of TCM and Ayurveda, where haritaki is regarded as one of the three Triphala fruits. He Zi has a unique distinguishing action in Chinese medicine: it is the principal herb specifically prescribed for chronic hoarseness and aphonia (loss of voice) where chronic Lung Qi leakage has impaired the vocal cords.
2. Properties
| Pinyin name | Hé Zǐ |
|---|---|
| Chinese characters | 诃子 |
| Latin name | Fructus Chebulae / Terminalia chebula |
| English name | Chebula, chebulic myrobalan, haritaki |
| Nature | Neutral (slightly warm) |
| Flavour | Sour, bitter, astringent |
| Channels entered | Lung, Large Intestine |
| Category | Stabilise and bind |
| Dosage | 3–10 g, decocted |
3. Actions and indications
Principal actions
- Astringes the Intestines — for chronic diarrhoea, dysentery, rectal prolapse and prolapse of organs in patients with severe Qi deficiency and leakage. Often combined with Ren Shen and Mu Xiang in classical formulas.
- Restrains the Lungs and stops cough — for chronic cough with depleted Lung Qi, especially when the cough has gone on long enough to weaken the body and there is no longer external pathogen.
- Benefits the throat and restores the voice — the defining indication: chronic hoarseness, aphonia (voice loss) and persistent sore throat. He Zi is the principal Chinese herb for vocal-cord pathology. Commonly taken as a lozenge or gargle.
4. Key formulas
- He Zi Wan — the classical formula for chronic diarrhoea with Qi deficiency and rectal prolapse.
- He Zi Yin — for chronic hoarseness; the lead herb is He Zi paired with Jie Geng and Gan Cao.
- Modern voice formulas for professional singers and teachers with chronic hoarseness commonly include He Zi.
5. Cautions
Contraindicated in acute exterior pathogens (the astringent action traps the pathogen) and in acute Damp-Heat dysentery. Use with caution in patients with constipation. Safe in pregnancy under specialist supervision.
6. Treatment at my clinic
I prescribe He Zi for the specific indication of chronic hoarseness, persistent dry cough with depleted Lung Qi, and chronic loose stools in older patients. Online Chinese herbal consultations are available. See prices for costs.
