Yu Zhu - Solomon's Seal Rhizome, Polygonatum
TCM Materia Medica
Yu Zhu TCM Herb Classifications and Usages
The TCM herb "yu zhu" which in english is 
"solomon's seal rhizome, polygonatum", is categorized within the "herbs that tonify yin" functional grouping. It is thought to enter the lung and stomach channels and exhibits cool and sweet (gan) taste/temperature properties.
Dosages and preparations will vary according to each individual and the overall approach of a formula, but generally this herb has the following dosage and/or preparation guidelines:
- Dosage: 9-15g
Of many possible clinical applications, it may be considered to influence the following issues/symptoms:
- Nourish yin, moisten dryness - lung and stomach dry heat or yin deficiency patterns with cough, dry throat, thirst, irritability, steaming bone disorder, xiao ke, excess hunger, constipation.
- Clear wind, softens and moistens the sinews - wind generated by insufficient fluids, leading to pain and spasms in the sinews, dizziness from yin deficiency and internal movement of wind.
- Also useful for wind-heat in yin deficient constitution (not cloying herb).
Yu Zhu may potentially be used, in coordination with a well tailored formula (in most cases), to influence the following conditions: cough and/or irritability
While it may not always be included depending on the manufacturer or herbalist making the formula, yu zhu is generally included in the following 1 formula:
ViewSha Shen Mai Dong Wan (Glehnia and Ophiopogonis Decoction)
Important formula for stomach yin deficiency - benefits the stomach and the lungs - a range of digestive issues (gastritis, epigastric pain), possibly with dry throat, thirst and/or cough. Diabetes …
As noted above, yu zhu is within the herbs that tonify yin functional group. All the herbs in this category are listed below.
(truncated intro "... yin tonics are generally sweet, cold, enriching and cloying. they are inappropriate for spleen or stomach deficiency, internal dampness or phlegm, abdominal distension, and/or diarrhea. general symptoms by system: lung yin defic…)".
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