Zhi Mu

primary-actions. Zhi Mu acts primarily as: Antipyretic, Anti-inflammatory, Hypoglycemic, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Neuroprotective, Yin-nourishing. Secondary actions include Clear heat and drain fire, Nourish yin and moisten dryness, Generate fluids, Quell deficiency-heat.

indications. Zhi Mu is traditionally indicated for: High fever with thirst and irritability in febrile disease, Lung and Stomach heat with cough or thirst, Yin deficiency with afternoon fever, night sweats and steaming-bone sensation, Diabetic thirst (wasting-thirst), Dry constipation, Restlessness and insomnia from heat.

dose-reference. Reference preparation/dosing for Zhi Mu: Dried rhizome decoction: 6-12 g/day; Tincture (1:5): 2-4 ml three times daily; Powder/capsule: 1-2 g/day; Often paired with Phellodendron (Huang Bai) for deficiency-heat and with Gypsum (Shi Gao) for excess heat

safety-cautions. Zhi Mu - Contraindications: Spleen deficiency with diarrhea or loose stools, Cold-deficiency patterns, Use cautiously with weak digestion, Its cold, moist nature can aggravate dampness | Side effects: Loose stools or diarrhea with overuse, Otherwise well tolerated.