OthersHemostaticTrachycarpi Petiolus Fibra (carbonized)

Zong Lv Tan (Carbonized Fortune Windmill Palm Fiber)

A practical guide to Zong Lv Tan: what it is, how Traditional Chinese Medicine uses it, the classical formulas it appears in, and who should be careful with it.

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Last reviewed Oct 28, 2026

Quick Facts

Latin Name	Trachycarpi Petiolus Fibra (carbonized)
Chinese Name & Pinyin	棕櫚炭 · Zong Lv Tan
Medicinal Part	Others
The item	Zong Lü Tan is the carbonized leaf stalk and sheath fiber of the palm tree. Ce Bai Tan (charred oriental arborvitae) and the raw palm fiber are not this drug.
Nature and channels	Neutral, bitter, astringent. Enters the Liver, Lung, and Large Intestine. Neutral bitter-astringent stops bleeding and checks diarrhea by astringing.
Pharmacopoeia line	Astringes and stops bleeding; astringes the intestines and checks diarrhea. Used for spitting blood, nosebleed, blood in urine or stools, heavy uterine bleeding, and long diarrhea.
Pattern cues	Lingering bleeding. Pale thin blood. Blood in urine or stools. Heavy uterine bleeding. Long thin stools. Pre-dawn diarrhea.
In this article	Zong Lü Tan versus Ce Bai Tan. Pure astringing versus cooling the blood. Why stasis and damp-heat should skip it. Home tea.

What Is Zong Lv Tan?

Zong Lü Tan (棕榈炭; Zōng Lǘ Tàn; Latin: Trachycarpi Petiolus; English: carbonized palm petiole fiber) is the dried leaf stalk and sheath fiber of the palm tree — the broad fan-shaped leaves that rustle on city streets — carbonized by a smokeless fire until the fibers turn black-brown and brittle, the quiet charcoal piece apothecary shops keep for bleeding that will not settle. It is neutral, bitter and astringent, enters the Liver, Lung, and Large Intestine channels, and its core actions are to astringe and stop bleeding, and to astringe the intestines and check diarrhea. It is the classic hold-herb for internal bleeding and long loose stools. The usual amount is 3–10 g in a decoction. It needs no special handling, and it steeps as a tea.

It is not Ce Bai Tan. Charred oriental arborvitae twig and leaf is slightly cold and astringent — it cools the blood to stop bleeding and also transforms phlegm and stops cough; this palm fiber is neutral and purely astringent, with no cooling or phlegm side. It is not the raw fiber either; the raw form is supple and used differently, and the carbonized form is the astringent stop. In bleeding with obvious un-cleared stasis — clots with belly pain that dislikes touch — or in damp-heat diarrhea with a foul smell, using it on your own is a poor match. Heavy bleeding needs a clinic first. Do not take it yourself for a long time.

It is used most often for three patterns:

Spitting blood, nosebleed, blood in urine or stools, or heavy uterine bleeding that lingers — pale thin blood, often with mild qi deficiency
Long diarrhea with thin frequent stools, or pre-dawn diarrhea in the elderly — a weak spleen-stomach with the bowel failing to hold
Obvious stasis — clots with belly pain that dislikes touch — or damp-heat with foul stools — seek care / skip it

Neutral, bitter, and astringent, it is not a daily "bleeding-stop tea" to keep drinking. Astringing when there is no leak, or with stasis and damp-heat still inside, locks the pathogen in instead of helping.

When the upright qi weakens and the blood slips — a lingering period, post-partum discharge that will not clear, bleeding in urine or stools — astringent charcoal gathers it back; when the bowel fails to hold, diarrhea runs long. Zong Lü Tan is neutral, bitter, and astringent. It astringes the blood and the bowel, which is why it appears in Shi Hui San (Ten Ashes Powder)–type formulas. It holds more than it drains. In bleeding with stasis, or in damp-heat diarrhea, more makes it worse.

Zong Lü Tan is not a catch-all bleeding or diarrhea herb. In bleeding with un-cleared stasis, in damp-heat diarrhea, in pregnancy, or with no leak, using it alone is a poor match. Whether it belongs in a formula, and at what dose, should be decided by a licensed Chinese medicine practitioner after pattern diagnosis.

Zong Lv Tan: Materia Medica Profile

Identification & Quality Standard

Trachycarpi Petiolus Fibra (carbonized)

Botanical Origin

The dried leaf sheath fiber (palm fiber) and petiole of Trachycarpus fortunei (Hook. f.) H. Wendl. (Arecaceae).

Production Regions

Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Guangdong, Fujian, Yunnan, Zhejiang, Guizhou, Hunan, Sichuan.

Quality Requirements

Superior medicinal material is black, brittle, astringent, with retained character.

Macroscopic Features

Irregular strips or lumps, carbonized; externally black or dark brown, brittle, fibrous. Fractured surface is dark brown. Faint charred odor, astringent taste.

Main Regions and Quality Identification

Classic texts and trade experience favor fiber from several southern provinces, but quality still depends on variety, harvest time, processing, and storage. Good Zong Lü Tan is irregular pieces, black-brown on the surface, light and brittle, easy to break, a brown-black break with fine fiber lines, a faint toasted smell, and a bland taste; the raw palm fiber is brown-yellow, supple, and without the toasted note. The common look-alikes are carbonized fibers of other plants — charred cattail pollen has finer fibers and no fine lines, and a different smell — check carefully.

Traditional Properties & Historical Lineage

Nature, Flavour & Channel Tropism

Bitter, Astringent; NeutralLungLiverLarge Intestine

1. Records in Classic Materia Medica

Ming Yi Bie Lu: notes the palm petiole "is used for spitting blood, nosebleed, and heavy uterine bleeding."
Xin Xiu Ben Cao: adds "burned to ash, it is used for nosebleed and spitting blood."
Ben Cao Gang Mu: further notes "palm ash stops bleeding and is used for diarrhea, dysentery, bowel wind, discharge, and metal wounds."
De Pei Ben Cao: records pairings — "with Wu Mei for red dysentery; with Bai Ye for nosebleed."
Zhong Hua Ben Cao: states it "astringes and stops bleeding, used for spitting blood, nosebleed, blood in urine, blood in stools, and heavy uterine bleeding."

2. How Views of Its Nature Changed

Some doctors regarded it as a plain astringent stop — for bleeding patterns only, with a narrow reach; others found in practice that paired with damp-heat-clearing herbs, it supports blood-in-stool and uterine-bleeding care from damp-heat settling below; still others drew the line — its strong astringency is wrong where stasis is un-cleared, lest the residue be trapped. The range stayed strict.

Core Efficacies & Traditional Applications

Traditional Functions

Astringes and stops bleeding.

1. Main Use 1: Astringing and Stopping Bleeding

(1) Traditional action: stopping non-traumatic internal bleeding by astringing — spitting blood, nosebleed, blood in urine or stools, heavy uterine bleeding. (2) Typical patterns: bleeding that will not settle, pale thin blood, often with mild qi deficiency — a lingering period, post-partum discharge that will not clear, pile bleeding or blood in urine in the elderly. (3) Usual pairings: Ce Bai Ye (oriental arborvitae) and Huai Hua (pagoda-tree flower) for blood-heat bleeding; Huang Qi (astragalus) and Sheng Ma (cimicifuga) for qi-deficiency bleeding. (4) Not for self-use: obvious un-cleared stasis — bleeding with clots and belly pain that dislikes touch — the astringency can trap the stasis and worsen things.

2. Main Use 2: Astringing the Intestines and Checking Diarrhea

(1) Traditional action: astringing the bowel to ease long diarrhea — for bowel dysfunction with the intestine failing to hold. (2) Typical patterns: chronic diarrhea, thin frequent stools with mild qi deficiency — long diarrhea from a weak spleen-stomach, or pre-dawn diarrhea in the elderly. (3) Usual pairings: Bai Zhu (atractylodes) to fortify the spleen, Fu Ling (poria) to drain dampness, or Gan Jiang (dried ginger) to warm the middle — strengthening the astringent check. (4) Not for self-use: un-cleared damp-heat or food stagnation — diarrhea with belly pain, foul stools, a thick tongue coat — the astringency can lock the pathogen in.

3. A Classic Pairing

Zong Lü Tan pairs classically with Wu Mei: the palm charcoal astringes the bleed and the bowel; the smoked plum astringes the lung and intestines, generates fluids, and quiets roundworms. Together they strengthen the astringent hold — for long diarrhea with light blood in stools. This pair belongs to a practitioner's pattern diagnosis — not for acute diarrhea or obvious damp-heat.

Modern Research

Modern research offers useful context, but Traditional Chinese Medicine prescribes on whole-pattern diagnosis rather than isolated compounds.

1. Main Chemical Constituents

Detected in the fiber are cellulose, lignin, and small amounts of tannins and flavonoids. In vitro, the tannins show some astringent action — locally contracting small vessels to a degree; in animals, the water decoction shortens clotting time somewhat, without a marked extra stop. No sufficient human clinical conclusion on the bleeding-stop effect exists.

2. Current Research Directions

Current work centers on the material basis of the astringent action and effects on clotting measures. The tannins may precipitate proteins and form a protective film at the bleeding site, supporting the stop. Work is focused on extracting and separating the active components and on animal-model bleeding effects — human verification of clinical value is still needed.

3. Limitations of Current Research

Lab results are not clinical efficacy — animal effects may differ in people by constitution and pattern.
Extracts are not decoction pieces — experimental concentrations cannot be compared to daily piece doses.
Doses and preparations vary between studies — results differ.
One component does not define the whole herb — the charcoal acts as a team of constituents.

Comparing Similar Herbs

1. What They Share

Both astringe and stop bleeding.
Both are used for bleeding-pattern support and appear together in similar formulas — such as the heavy-uterine-bleeding formula Gu Chong Tang.
Both need constitution and dose care — no large casual use.

2. Key Differences

Nature and flavor: Zong Lü Tan is neutral, bitter and astringent, entering the Liver, Lung, and Large Intestine — strongly astringent; Ce Bai Tan is slightly cold, bitter and astringent, entering the Lung, Liver, and Large Intestine — with a cooling side. Focus: Zong Lü Tan astringes the bleed and the bowel — for bleeding that will not settle or long diarrhea; Ce Bai Tan cools the blood to stop bleeding and transforms phlegm to stop cough — for blood-heat bleeding and cough with much phlegm. Tendency: Zong Lü Tan gathers and descends — tightening the bleeding site and the bowel; Ce Bai Tan clears and descends — cooling the blood-heat to stop the bleed and settling the lung to ease the phlegm, with a light pathogen-scattering side — not pure astringency. Best fit: Zong Lü Tan for pale bleeding and long diarrhea without obvious pathogen; Ce Bai Tan for bright red bleeding with a dry mouth, or cough with thick yellow phlegm. Who should avoid: Zong Lü Tan is wrong for obvious stasis or damp-heat; Ce Bai Tan is wrong for a cold weak spleen-stomach with thin stools. Where you meet them: Zong Lü Tan in astringent stop and bowel-check formulas — longer bleeding and diarrhea care; Ce Bai Tan in blood-cooling stop and phlegm-easing formulas — bleeding with heat or cough.

3. One-Line Takeaway

In short, Zong Lü Tan gathers and descends — for bleeding and long diarrhea without obvious pathogen; Ce Bai Tan clears and cools — for blood-heat bleeding or phlegm-heat cough. Both can appear in bleeding care — but they are not stand-ins for each other.

Classical Formulas Containing Zong Lv Tan

Classic Formula 1: Shi Hui San

Role of this herb: in Shi Hui San (Ten Ashes Powder), Zong Lü Tan is a supporting astringent stop — with Da Ji, Xiao Ji, Ce Bai Ye, and Qian Cao cooling the blood as monarchs, and Zong Lü Tan with Pu Huang Tan astringing as ministers — while Zhi Zi and Da Huang clear heat and fire so the heat descends with the blood. Alone, the charcoal cannot cool the blood-heat. Traditional focus: blood-heat pushing the blood out — spitting blood, nosebleed, coughing blood, blood in stools — bright red blood with a dry mouth, a red tongue, a yellow coat. Modern note: professional diagnosis first — never self-apply by name.

Classic Formula 2: Gu Chong Tang

Role of this herb: in Gu Chong Tang (Consolidating the Chong Vessel Decoction), Zong Lü Tan is a supporting astringent stop — with Huang Qi and Bai Zhu supplementing qi as monarchs, Shan Zhu Yu and Bai Shao nourishing the liver-kidney as ministers, and Zong Lü Tan with Hai Piao Xiao (cuttlefish bone) and Qian Cao astringing as assistants. The target is qi-deficiency uterine bleeding; alone, the charcoal cannot supplement the qi. Traditional focus: qi-deficiency heavy uterine bleeding — heavy lingering flow, shortness of breath, fatigue, a pale tongue and weak pulse. Modern note: professional diagnosis first — never self-apply by name.

Formula vs. Single Herb

A formula is a coordinated team — covering several mechanisms at once, like heat plus bleeding in Shi Hui San and deficiency plus bleeding in Gu Chong Tang; a single herb cannot copy that — the charcoal only astringes. The doses and pairings are designed as a whole — changing one herb shifts the whole. Do not self-formulate from web articles, which often list only some herbs without the pairing and doses.

Diet & Daily Home Use

1. Home Tea

Example — Zong Lü Tan smoked plum tea: Zong Lü Tan 3 g, Wu Mei 5 g, a little brown sugar — rinse, steep in boiling water 15 minutes, sweeten lightly, drink as tea. Fit: long diarrhea with light blood-streaked stools — such as chronic bowel looseness with a little blood. Not for: obvious damp-heat or stasis — diarrhea with belly pain, foul stools, many clots. Frequency: no more than 2 times a week, not long-term.

2. Decoction and Processing Differences

The raw palm fiber is supple — used in damp-heat-clearing pairings; Zong Lü Tan is light and brittle — for astringent stops and bowel checks. No first, last, or wrapped steps needed — decoct with the other pieces, or steep for tea. At home, wrap the charcoal in gauze, add water, and decoct with the other herbs 15–20 minutes. Different forms cannot be converted directly — a prescription dose of 3–10 g is not a tea dose of 3 g; do not raise the tea dose casually.

3. Dosage and How Long to Use

The classic range is 3–10 g, adjusted to the pattern; food-use amounts are about 3 g — far below medicinal doses. Not for long continuous use — stop when the symptom settles, no more than 3 days straight. Pregnant women, children, and the elderly consult a practitioner or pharmacist first.

Contraindications & Safety Warnings

1. Who Should Avoid It

Obvious un-cleared stasis — bleeding with clots, belly pain that dislikes touch; un-cleared damp-heat or food stagnation — diarrhea with belly pain, foul stools, a thick tongue coat; pregnancy and nursing — practitioner-guided use, no self-taking; children and the elderly — strict dose control; liver or kidney impairment — be cautious; allergy to palm-family plants — avoid; people on anticoagulant therapy or chemotherapy — consult a doctor first.

2. Interactions and Diet Notes

Zong Lü Tan may affect anticoagulants — anyone on warfarin or aspirin should consult a doctor first; possible interactions with blood-pressure and blood-sugar medicines — be cautious. No blanket "food clash" with ordinary foods is established, but herbs can interact with specific medicines — anyone on medication should check first.

3. Side Effects and Overuse

Overuse can bring constipation and bloating — the strong astringency can slow the bowel. Stop and seek care at once for marked discomfort, an allergic reaction, persistent vomiting, trouble breathing, confusion, or a rapid worsening of symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions About Zong Lv Tan

What is Zonglü Tan? Is it the same as raw Zonglü or Cebaitan?

Zonglü Tan is the carbonized dried petiole of Trachycarpus fortunei, Latin name Trachycarpi Petiolus Carbonisatus. It is a common Chinese medicine centered on astringing and stopping bleeding. Raw Zonglü astringes and stops bleeding while moving stasis. Cebaitan cools the blood and stops bleeding. They cannot be used interchangeably in equal amounts. Prescribe as Zonglü Tan. Caution in deficiency cold without stasis.

What are the composition and effects of Zonglü Tan?

Pharmacopoeial name Zonglü Tan, Latin Trachycarpus fortunei (Hook.) H. Wendl. Bitter and astringent in taste, neutral in nature, enters the Lung, Liver and Large Intestine meridians. Functions to astringe and stop bleeding. Used for hematemesis, epistaxis, hematuria, bloody stool, and flooding and spotting. Astringes and stops bleeding.

How to choose between raw and processed? Can raw Zonglü replace it?

Petiole is carbonized. Raw product emphasizes moving stasis; carbonizing enhances stopping bleeding, and cannot replace it in equal amounts. Commercial products are standardized; do not adjust arbitrarily.

What is the dosage of Zonglü Tan? Can it be used daily as a bleeding-stopping tea?

Decoction, 3-9g. Modern use requires physician-determined dosage. It is not a year-round "Zonglü Tan tea." Deficiency cold without stasis will be further stagnated by prolonged use. Bleeding requires short-term, physician-determined dosage and cannot replace evaluation.

What are the contraindications of Zonglü Tan? Can pregnant women use it?

Not suitable for deficiency cold without stasis. Pregnant women require physician evaluation. Stop if abdominal pain or loose stools occur. Seek immediate medical care for severe bleeding or high fever.

Can Zonglü Tan astringe and stop bleeding?

It can assist hematemesis, epistaxis, hematuria, bloody stool, and flooding and spotting. It astringes and stops bleeding, but is not a specific remedy for all bleeding or all flooding and spotting.

Can Zonglü Tan be taken daily as a bleeding-stopping tea?

Bleeding can be used short-term in formulas; deficiency cold without stasis will be further stagnated. The idea that "Zonglü Tan must stop bleeding" cannot replace evaluation. Astringing and stopping bleeding requires physician-determined formulation and dosage.

How to choose between Zonglü Tan, raw Zonglü, Cebaitan, Xueyutan, and Oujie Tan?

Zonglü Tan astringes and stops bleeding, suited to hematemesis and epistaxis. Raw Zonglü astringes and moves stasis. Cebaitan cools the blood and stops bleeding. Xueyutan transforms stasis and stops bleeding. Oujie Tan astringes and stops bleeding for bloody stool. Choose Zonglü Tan for stopping bleeding; raw Zonglü for moving stasis; Cebaitan for cooling the blood; Xueyutan for transforming stasis; Oujie Tan for bloody stool. Pattern differentiation applies, but large doses of Zonglü Tan are contraindicated in deficiency cold without stasis.

How is Zonglü Tan commonly modified? What is a representative usage?

Modifications depend on the pattern. Add Cebaitan for hematemesis; add Xueyutan for flooding and spotting. Specify Zonglü Tan; do not substitute raw Zonglü in equal amounts for carbonizing.

How to select and store Zonglü Tan?

Choose regular Chinese medicinal materials with intact carbonized petioles. Discard if moldy, damp, or abnormal in odor. Store in a dry place. Purchase "Zonglü Tan"; do not substitute raw Zonglü or Cebaitan in equal amounts for astringing and stopping bleeding.

Related Products

Nong's Zong Lv Tan Concentrated Granules

Nong's Zong Lv Tan (Charred Palm Petiole) Single Herb 5:1 Concentrated Granules $53.68

Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.