Quick Facts
| Latin Name | Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Rhizoma |
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| Chinese Name & Pinyin | 萆薢 · Bi Xie |
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| Medicinal Part | Roots and rhizomes |
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| Efficacy Category | Dampness-draining |
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| Botanical Origin | The dried rhizome of Dioscorea hypoglauca Palibin, Dioscorea septemloba Thunb., or Dioscorea futschauensis Uline ex R. Knuth (Dioscoreaceae). |
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| Nature & Flavour | Bitter; Neutral |
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| Channels Entered | Liver, Stomach, Bladder |
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What Is Bi Xie?
Bi Xie (Fish-Poison Yam Rhizome) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Guangxi and Sichuan.
Nature & Flavour: Bitter; Neutral
Channels Entered: Liver, Stomach, Bladder
Bi Xie: Materia Medica Profile
Identification & Quality Standard
Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Rhizoma
Botanical Origin
The dried rhizome of Dioscorea hypoglauca Palibin, Dioscorea septemloba Thunb., or Dioscorea futschauensis Uline ex R. Knuth (Dioscoreaceae).
Production Regions
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Guangxi and Sichuan.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material is white, powdery, and free of fibrous wood.
Macroscopic Features
Sliced or irregular pieces, 2~5mm thick; externally brownish-yellow; cut surface white to pale yellow, powdery; weak odor.
Traditional TCM Properties
Bitter; NeutralLiverStomachBladder
Traditional Functions
Drains dampness, separates the clear from the turbid, and dispels wind-damp. Apply to cloudy lin, leukorrhea, and damp bi of the lower body.
How Bi Xie Is Used in TCM
In the Chinese materia medica, Bi Xie is classified among the Dampness-draining herbs. It appears in 3 classical formulas in our library.
Formulas containing Bi Xie are traditionally used for:
Frequent UrinationEdemaJoint DiscomfortLow Back Pain
Classical Formulas Containing Bi Xie
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bi Xie? Are Tu Fu Ling, Yi Yi Ren and Shi Wei the same?
The pharmacopoeia separates Fen Bi Xie and Mian Bi Xie. Fen Bi Xie is the dried rhizome of Dioscorea hypoglauca; the pharmacopoeial name is Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Rhizoma. Mian Bi Xie is the dried rhizome of Dioscorea spongiosa or Dioscorea futschauensis; the pharmacopoeial name is Dioscoreae Spongiosae Rhizoma. Both are bitter-neutral: drain dampness, separate the turbid, dispel wind and eliminate bi. Tu Fu Ling is sweet-bland and neutral: resolves toxin, eliminates dampness and frees the joints. Yi Yi Ren is sweet-bland and cool: promotes urination, percolates dampness, fortifies the Spleen and eliminates bi. Shi Wei is sweet-bitter and slightly cold: promotes urination, frees strangury, clears the Lung and stops cough. Write Fen Bi Xie or Mian Bi Xie. Use caution in Kidney-yin vacuity.
What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Bi Xie?
According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, both are bitter and neutral, enter the Kidney and Stomach channels, and act to drain dampness, separate the turbid, dispel wind and eliminate bi. They are used for unctuous strangury, white turbidity, excessive vaginal discharge, wind-damp bi pain, inhibited joints, and aching lumbus and knees. Bitter-neutral and separating the clear from the turbid, they suit damp-turbidity pouring downward—not seminal emission from Kidney-yin vacuity used alone.
How do you choose Fen Bi Xie versus Mian Bi Xie? Can Tu Fu Ling replace them?
The actions are close. Fen Bi Xie has a more starchy cut face; Mian Bi Xie is looser. Smilax resolves toxin, eliminates dampness and frees the joints; it cannot replace separating the turbid by equal weight. Commercial yam-rhizome tea is not equal-weight pieces.
Learn More About Bi Xie
Explore our in-depth article covering the traditional uses, properties, functions, and TCM context of Bi Xie.
Read the Bi Xie Guide →
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.
