Qu Mai (瞿麦) — Fringed Pink
Qu Mai is a specific Chinese herb for Damp-Heat urinary problems, particularly with a Heart-Fire component — hot painful urination with restlessness and red tongue tip. Partner to Bian Xu in Ba Zheng San.
On this page
- Overview
- Properties
- Actions and indications
- Dosage
- Cautions and incompatibilities
- Key formulas
- Treatment at my clinic
1. Overview
Qu Mai (瞿麦) — Fringed Pink (Dianthus superbus) — 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 | Qu Mai |
|---|---|
| Chinese characters | 瞿麦 |
| Latin name | Dianthus superbus |
| English name | Fringed Pink |
| Nature | Cold |
| Flavour | Bitter |
| Channels entered | Heart, Small Intestine, Bladder |
| Category | Drain Dampness |
3. Actions and indications
Principal actions
- Clears Damp-Heat
- Promotes urination
- Invigorates Blood
Indications
- Damp-Heat urinary tract infection
- Haematuria with Heat
- Amenorrhoea from Blood stasis with Heat
4. Dosage
9–15g
5. Cautions and incompatibilities
- Contraindicated in pregnancy
- Not for Kidney deficiency
6. Key formulas
7. Treatment at my clinic
I prescribe Qu Mai 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.
