Quick Facts
| Latin Name | Nodus Nelumbinis Rhizomatis |
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| Chinese Name & Pinyin | 藕節 · Ou Jie |
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| Medicinal Part | Roots and rhizomes |
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| Efficacy Category | Hemostatic |
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| Botanical Origin | The dried node of the rhizome of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (Nymphaeaceae). |
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| Nature & Flavour | Sweet, Astringent; Neutral |
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| Channels Entered | Liver, Lung, Stomach |
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What Is Ou Jie?
Ou Jie (Lotus Rhizome Node) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Hunan, Hubei, Jiangsu and Zhejiang.
Nature & Flavour: Sweet, Astringent; Neutral
Channels Entered: Liver, Lung, Stomach
Ou Jie: Materia Medica Profile
Identification & Quality Standard
Nodus Nelumbinis Rhizomatis
Botanical Origin
The dried node of the rhizome of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (Nymphaeaceae).
Production Regions
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Hunan, Hubei, Jiangsu and Zhejiang.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material is stout, dark, and free of decaying flesh.
Macroscopic Features
Short cylindrical nodes, 2~4cm long; externally greyish-brown to dark brown, with remnants of rootlets; fracture with many small holes; astringent.
Traditional TCM Properties
Sweet, Astringent; NeutralLiverLungStomach
Traditional Functions
Astringes and stops bleeding, slightly invigorates blood. Apply to coughing or vomiting of blood, epistaxis, hematuria, and uterine bleeding.
How Ou Jie Is Used in TCM
In the Chinese materia medica, Ou Jie is classified among the Hemostatic herbs. It appears in 1 classical formulas in our library.
Formulas containing Ou Jie are traditionally used for:
Frequent UrinationAbdominal PainDry Mouth & Throat
Classical Formulas Containing Ou Jie
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ou Jie? Are He Ye, Lian Zi and lotus root the same?
Official Ou Jie (藕节) is the dried node of the rhizome of Nelumbo nucifera. The pharmacopoeial name is Nelumbinis Rhizomatis Nodus. He Ye is the leaf. The pharmacopoeial name is Nelumbinis Folium: clears summerheat, transforms damp, raises clear yang, cools Blood and stops bleeding. Lian Zi is the seed: supplements the Spleen, stops diarrhea, checks vaginal discharge, benefits the Kidney and secures essence. The edible rhizome cools Blood when raw and fortifies the Spleen when cooked. Write Ou Jie. Use caution in vacuity-cold bleeding.
What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Ou Jie?
According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Ou Jie is sweet, astringent and neutral, enters the Liver, Lung and Stomach channels, and acts to astringe to stop bleeding and transform stasis. It is used for vomiting of blood, coughing of blood, nosebleed, blood in the urine and flooding. Astringent yet stasis-transforming, it suits many kinds of bleeding—not a substitute for emergency hemostasis used alone. Use caution in chronic diarrhea from Spleen-Stomach vacuity cold.
How do you choose raw versus charred Ou Jie? Can He Ye replace it?
Raw node leans to cooling Blood, stopping bleeding and transforming stasis—sudden bleeding. Charred node is more astringent and leans to securing bleeding—chronic bleeding. Lotus leaf clears summerheat and cools Blood; it cannot replace astringing and transforming stasis by equal weight. Tradition avoids iron vessels; do not decoct in rusty iron. Lotus-root starch is not node pieces.
Learn More About Ou Jie
Explore our in-depth article covering the traditional uses, properties, functions, and TCM context of Ou Jie.
Read the Ou Jie 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.
