Dan Zhu Ye – Lophatherum – Herba Lophatheri

Dan Zhu Ye

English Name: lopatherum

Literal Translation: “bland bamboo leaves”

Pharmaceutical Name: Herba Lopatheri

Medica Category: Heat-Clearing and Fire-Purging Herbs

Properties: Dan Zhu Ye enters the Heart, Stomach, and Small Intestine channels; it is sweet and bland in nature and cold in temperature.

What is Dan Zhu Ye?:

The Chinese Herb Dan Zhu Ye is the dried leaves of a type of bamboo native to Southeast Asia that grows as a long-leafed grass (rather than with a rigid, hollow stem like most types of bamboo– Lopatherum gracile).

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Therapeutic Actions of Dan Zhu Ye:

Dan Zhu Ye clears heat in the Heart, Small Intestine, and Stomach channels and is often used to treat dysuria arising from Heart heat (i.e. painful, burning sensations when urinating). It also addresses other presentations related to Heart and Stomach heat such as irritability, stomatitis, and ulcers on the tongue.

–safety/clinical notes:

Dan Zhu Ye has a diuretic effect and concurrent use with diuretic drugs (e.g. chlorothiazide, hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide (Lasix), bumetanide (Bumex), torsemide (Demadex)) can lead to increased elimination of water and electrolytes.