Ze Xie vs Hai Jin Sha

Side-by-side comparison of medicinal herbs

Herb

Ze Xie

Alisma plantago-aquatica

Urinary

Lygodium japonicum

Urinary

Ze Xie

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Hai Jin Sha

✅ Generally safe in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Description

Aquatic perennial of East and Central Asia; rhizome used in TCM to drain dampness and promote urination — key herb for urinary and kidney conditions.

TCM spore that clears heat and promotes urination for stones.

Active Compounds

alisol A, alisol B, orientalide, terpenes, polysaccharides

Flavonoids, Fatty acids, Lysine, Organic acids

Traditional Uses

Damp-heat conditions in TCM, Urinary difficulty and edema, Kidney conditions, Used in Liu Wei Di Huang Wan and other classical formulas

Urinary stones, UTI, Edema, Jaundice

Modern Uses

Diuretic, Antilipemic, Antidiabetic, Hepatoprotective

Anti-lithic, Diuretic, Anti-inflammatory

Adult Dosage

6–15 g dried rhizome as decoction; 500 mg extract 2x daily

6-15g wrapped in cloth then decocted

Contraindications

Kidney yang deficiency (cold conditions in TCM), Pregnancy

Yin deficiency

Side Effects

GI upset, Increased urination

Throat irritation if inhaled

Drug Interactions

0 known interactions

Reviewed by: HerbAlly Editorial Team, Medical herbalists and healthcare professionals

Sources: WHO Monographs · NCCIH · PubMed · Commission E