Zhu Ru
English Name: bamboo shavings
Pharmaceutical Name: Caulis Bambusae in Taenia
Medica Category: Phlegm-Resolving Herbs
Properties: Zhu Ru enters the Lung, Stomach, and Gallbladder channels; it is sweet in nature and cool in temperature.
What is Zhu Ru?:
The Chinese Herb Zhu Ru is the dried shavings from the inner stem (or haulm) from any of three different species of bamboo that grow native in in the Yangtze river region and in the provinces of South China:
- punting-pole bamboo (Bambusa tuldoides Munro);
- Beechy’s bamboo (Sinocalamus beecheyanus (Munro) McClure var. pubescens P. F. Li); and/or
- black bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra (Lodd.) Munro var. henonis (Mitf.) Stapf. ex Rendle)
The shavings are either left unprocessed or stir-baked/processed with ginger juice for use as medicine.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Therapeutic Actions of Zhu Ru:
Zhu Ru clears heat and resolves phlegm. In the Lung, these actions serve to re-regulate abnormally flowing Lung qi to stop cough (with copious yellow sputum and stifling sensations in the chest) and relieve irritability. Clearing this phlegm-heat/fire also calms the Heart to help with restlessness and insomnia.
Zhu Ru clears heat in the stomach to address nausea and vomiting that is often accompanied by acid regurgitation and bad breath; processed with fresh ginger, Zhu Ru is also helpful in addressing the nausea and vomiting associated with morning sickness.