Alisma
Alisma (Ze Xie)
Botanical Name: Alismatis orientalis
Ancient Chinese texts indicate that alisma promotes an easy labor, fertility and stimulates the female sexual and generative organs. It is considered a pure Kidney tonic. Extracts are showing anticancer properties.
Below is an overview of Alisma, combining and interpreting the best of Western Science, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Shamanism, Folklore and more. Gain a balanced and thorough understanding of the healing properties of Alisma.
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Western
Western Name: Alisma
Also Known As: Water Plantain, Devil’s Spoons, Thumbwort
Organs/Systems: Bladder, Female Genitalia
Key Actions: Diuretic, Antibacterial, Refrigerant, Rubefacient
Medicinal Uses:

Eastern
Pin Yin: Ze Xie
Also Known As: Translates as “Marsh Drain.”
Meridians: Kidney, Bladder
Key Actions: Drains Dampness, Promotes Urination, Leaches out Dampness, Drains Kidney Fire
Medicinal Uses: Urinary difficulty, edema, and diarrhea, kidney deficiency with patterns of dizziness and tinnitus, bladder infection, leukeria, relieve excess phlegm leading to bloating, lowers cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
Parts Most Frequently Used: Rhizome, Tuber, Leaf, Seed
Flavors/Temps: Sweet, Bland, Cold
Caution: Long term use can irritate the intestinal tract. Fresh root and leaves are toxic.
History/Folklore: In classic Chinese texts, alisma is prescribed as an adjunctive herb for wasting and thirsting disorder. While there are several subspecies of plantain around the world, they all have similar medicinal uses. The leaves can be used externally to treat bruises and swellings. It is commonly used in China in preparations to improve kidney balance and general health. In Japan and China, the herb is often combined with antibiotics to treat kidney infections without any negative interactions.
Ancient Taoist Chinese texts say that if “taken for a long time, the eye and ear become acute, hunger is not felt, life is prolonged, the body becomes light, the complexion radiant, and one can walk upon water (a reference to spiritual powers as well as the plants habitat in watery areas).”
The plants pungent, volatile oils are said to be the source of its medicinal attributes. Alisma is known to lower blood lipids, cholesterol levels and blood sugar levels. Used topically it can inflame and sometimes even blister the skin.
According to the Flora of Pakistan, the powdered root has been used as a cure for hydrophobia, the fresh leaves are used in homeopathy and the starch-rich root stock is eaten in many countries.
The word “plantago” is the Latin for “sole of the foot,” referring to the plant’s flat leaves.
The nineteenth century British art and social critic, John Ruskin believed the curve of the plants leaf-ribs were a model of “divine proportion” and helped shaped his Theory of Gothic architecture, which was based on the use of natural forms.
The roots are harvested before the plant blooms and are dried for future use. The fresh root is toxic. The seeds can be powdered and used as an astringent in cases of bleeding.
When introduced to an area, they can rapidly reproduce. The flowers open late in the afternoon and close again at dusk. It is often grown as an ornamental in water gardens.
Key Constituents:
Triterpene (Aliso A.), Volatile Oil.

Good Quality
Good quality alisma is big, yellowish white, lustrous and powdery.

Lower Serum Glucose
Preliminary studies indicate that alisma has the endocrine effect of lowering serum glucose.

Toxic When Fresh
Fresh alisma root and leaves are toxic. Heating and drying the herb deactivates the poisonous compounds in the root.
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