Shēng Dì Huáng (生地黄) — Raw Rehmannia root
On this page
- Overview
- Properties
- Actions and indications
- Key formulas
- Modern research
- Cautions and contraindications
- Treatment at my clinic
1. Overview
Shēng Dì Huáng (生地黄) — Rehmannia glutinosa (raw) — is known in English as Raw Rehmannia root. It belongs to the category of Herbs that cool Blood in the Chinese Materia Medica and is one of the important herbs in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is used in Chinese herbal medicine as a component of classical herbal formulas and in tailored prescriptions.
I prescribe Shēng Dì Huáng as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan. Herbs are always combined with other herbs selected to match the patient’s individual TCM pattern. Online consultations are available for patients who cannot attend my clinic in person.
2. Properties
| Pinyin name | Shēng Dì Huáng |
|---|---|
| Chinese characters | 生地黄 |
| Latin name | Rehmannia glutinosa (raw) |
| English name | Raw Rehmannia root |
| Nature | cold |
| Flavour | sweet, bitter |
| Channels entered | Heart, Liver, Kidney |
| Category | Herbs that cool Blood |
3. Actions and indications
Principal actions
- Clears Heat and cools Blood — the primary herb for Heat entering the Blood level
- Nourishes Yin and generates Body Fluids
- Stops bleeding from Blood Heat
- Cools the Heart and calms the Mind
Indications
- Blood Heat patterns — skin eruptions, nosebleed, haemoptysis and uterine bleeding from Heat
- High fever damaging Body Fluids with thirst and dry mouth
- Yin deficiency Heat — low-grade fever, night sweats and flushed cheeks
- Constipation from Yin deficiency and dry Intestines
- Insomnia and restlessness from Heart Yin deficiency
4. Key formulas containing Shēng Dì Huáng
Shēng Dì Huáng appears in the following key formulas:
See the full Chinese herbal medicine formula directory for detailed information on all 70 classical formulas.
5. Modern research
Raw Rehmannia (Sheng Di Huang) has the same bioactive constituents as prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di Huang) — iridoid glycosides (catalpol, aucubin), polysaccharides and stachyose — but its cold, unprocessed nature gives it primarily Heat-clearing and Blood-cooling properties rather than tonifying properties. Research confirms anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, hypoglycaemic and haematopoietic effects. Catalpol has neuroprotective effects and anti-ageing properties. Sheng Di Huang is the foundation of the important formula Si Sheng Wan (Four Fresh Herbs Pill) for acute bleeding from Blood Heat.
6. Cautions and contraindications
Contraindicated in Spleen deficiency with loose stools and poor digestion, as the cold, moistening nature can worsen these conditions. Do not confuse with Shu Di Huang (prepared Rehmannia) — they have opposite thermal properties and different indications.
Important: Chinese herbs should always be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist who is a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Never self-prescribe or self-administer Chinese herbs without professional guidance. Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto is a member of the RCHM with over 25 years of clinical experience.
7. Treatment at my clinic
I prescribe Shēng Dì Huáng as part of tailored herbal formulas for a range of conditions including Menopausal symptoms, Insomnia, Acne, Thin endometrial lining. Every prescription is individually formulated following a full TCM assessment and adjusted throughout treatment as the pattern responds.
I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Online Chinese herbal medicine consultations are available throughout the UK and internationally. Visit the prices page for consultation fees.
Return to the Chinese herb directory or the Chinese herbal medicine main page.
