Zé Xiè (泽泻) — Water Plantain Rhizome (Alisma)
On this page
- Overview
- Properties
- Actions and indications
- Key formulas
- Modern research
- Incompatibilities
- Cautions and contraindications
- Treatment at my clinic
1. Overview
Zé Xiè (泽泻) — Alisma plantago-aquatica — is known in English as Water plantain rhizome / Alisma. It belongs to the category of Herbs that drain Dampness in the Chinese Materia Medica and is one of the most important and widely prescribed herbs in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is used in Chinese herbal medicine both as a component of classical herbal formulas and as a significant individual herb in tailored prescriptions.
I prescribe Zé Xiè as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan — independently tested to the highest international quality and safety standards. Herbs are never prescribed individually outside a properly balanced formula; they 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 | Zé Xiè |
|---|---|
| Chinese characters | 泽泻 |
| Latin name | Alisma plantago-aquatica |
| English name | Water plantain rhizome / Alisma |
| Nature | Cold |
| Flavour | Sweet, bland |
| Channels entered | Kidney, Bladder |
| Category | Herbs that drain Dampness |
3. Actions and indications
Principal actions
- Promotes urination and drains Dampness
- Clears Kidney Fire and drains Heat
- Drains Damp-Heat from the Lower Jiao
Indications
- Oedema, urinary difficulty and accumulation of fluids
- Damp-Heat in the Lower Jiao — urinary tract infections, leucorrhoea and turbid urine
- Dizziness and vertigo from water accumulation (Phlegm-fluid in the Middle Jiao)
- Kidney Fire with spermatorrhoea — clears Fire without damaging the Kidney Yin
- Elevated cholesterol and triglycerides (modern application)
- Component of the Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Formula — counterbalances the enriching nature of the tonic herbs
4. Key formulas containing Zé Xiè
Zé Xiè is an ingredient in many classical formulas. The following are among the most important:
See the full Chinese herbal medicine formula directory for detailed information on all 88 classical formulas.
5. Modern research
Alisma plantago-aquatica (Ze Xie) has been the subject of significant modern pharmacological research. Key bioactive constituents include triterpenoids (alisol A, B, C and their acetates), polysaccharides and alkaloids. Research demonstrates diuretic effects, lipid-lowering activity (reducing total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides), anti-atherosclerotic effects, anti-inflammatory properties and anti-diabetic effects through improvement of insulin resistance. Alisol B 23-acetate has been shown to inhibit lipid accumulation in hepatocytes, supporting its use in fatty liver disease. Research on Ze Xie in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has shown promising results.
6. Incompatibilities
Zé Xiè (泽泻) Water Plantain Rhizome (Alisma) is not listed in either of the two classical incompatibility texts — Shi Ba Fan (Eighteen Antagonisms) or Shi Jiu Wei (Nineteen Mutual Inhibitions). As with every Chinese herb it should be prescribed only as part of a balanced formula by a registered Chinese herbalist (RCHM), who will check for interactions with any other herbs and prescription medications you are taking.
7. Cautions and contraindications
Avoid prolonged high-dose use as it may damage Kidney Yin. Contraindicated in patients with Kidney deficiency without Damp-Heat. Generally safe at standard formulary doses where it is combined with tonic herbs.
Pattern contraindications
Contraindicated in Yin and Blood deficiency — promoting urination depletes fluids further. Use cautiously in spermatorrhoea and excessive urination.
Modern drug interactions
Diuretic herbs have an additive effect with conventional diuretics and can deplete potassium with long-term use — review with your GP if you take loop or thiazide diuretics, ACE inhibitors, ARBs or lithium.
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 and the British Acupuncture Council with over 25 years of clinical experience.
8. Treatment at my clinic
I prescribe Zé Xiè as part of tailored herbal formulas for a range of conditions including Fatty liver, Urinary tract infections, High blood pressure. 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 for patients throughout the UK and internationally, with herbs dispensed by post. Visit the prices page for consultation fees.
Return to the Chinese herb directory or the Chinese herbal medicine main page.
Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide. After a full video consultation, Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto formulates a bespoke herbal prescription and posts your Chinese herbs directly to your door.
