Witnessed by: TCM
Lophatherum (Lophatherum gracile), of the Poaceae family. Slender grass with bamboo-like leaves and small tuberous roots; native range: shaded hillsides and woodland of southern China. Globally recognized as dan zhu ye (淡竹葉) in Chinese, and bland bamboo leaf, lophatherum leaf in English. The part used is leaves and stems. Thin lance-shaped green leaves with parallel veins, nearly tasteless, cool and bland.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
LOPHATHERUM
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- lophatherum
- Scientific name
- Lophatherum gracile Brongn.
- Family
- Poaceae
Form
- Part used
- leaves and stems
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- sweet · bland
Temperature
- TCM
- cold
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Heart · Stomach · Small Intestine
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- clears heat, drains fire from the Heart, relieves irritability, promotes urination
Cautions
- Contraindications
- contraindicated in pregnancy; caution in deficiency-cold patterns
- Toxicity
- no significant toxicity in normal use
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