Zhu Ye (Bamboo Leaf)

What Is Zhu Ye

Zhu Ye also known as Bamboo Leaf is the leaf of Phyllostachys Nigra, which is a perennial herb belonging to the family Poaceae. It is a medicine and animal feed, which first appeared in <Mingyi Bie Lu> around 420-589 AD.

Bamboo is the general name of Bambusoideae. They have more than 70 genera and about 1,250 species. They are concentrated in the tropical and subtropical regions of East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean, and the Pacific Islands.

Among them, some types of bamboo shoots can be eaten, and some types of bamboo poles can be made into furniture, canes, umbrella handles, musical instruments, and crafts.

Bamboo is defined by the Chinese as four gentlemen in flowers, and the other three are plum blossom, orchid, and chrysanthemum. It symbolizes nobility, integrity, and perseverance.

Bamboo

Phyllostachys Nigra is also known as black bamboo and likes a warm and humid climate. They can grow well in sandy soil with good drainage. This plant is native to China and is very common in China’s Hunan and Guangxi provinces. At present, they have been introduced and cultivated by India, Japan, and many countries in Europe and America.

The leaves of Phyllostachys Nigra can be gathered in any season. People gather their leaves, wash them with water, use them directly, or dry them in the sun, cut them into sections, and make them into Chinese herbal medicines.

Zhu Ye contains tricin, orientin, isoorientin, vitexin, isovitexin, afzelin, swertisin, luteolin, kaempferitrin, narcissin, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, organic acids, phenylpropanoids, lignans, polysaccharides, amino acids, volatile oils, and some trace elements.

According to <Mingyi Bie Lu>, the medicinal nature of Zhu Ye is relatively cold, with a pungent, sweet, and bland taste. It has a certain therapeutic effect on the pathological changes of the heart, stomach, and small intestine meridians.

In traditional Chinese medicine, it is often used to clear heat and purge fire, relieve restlessness, promote the production of body fluid and urination, and treat febrile diseases, scanty dark urine, epilepsy in children, oral ulcers, periodontitis, and tonsillitis.

Benefits

  • Anti-oxidation, scavenging DPPH free radicals.
  • Reducing alcohol-induced liver damage and protecting the liver.
  • Reducing the serum total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol content of hyperlipidemia mice, and increasing the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol content.
  • Promoting the production of body fluid and treating fever and restlessness caused by the consumption of body fluids in febrile diseases.
  • Treating lingering heat in the later stage of febrile diseases.
  • Dissipating wind-heat, treating fever, restlessness, and thirst caused by wind-heat.
  • Clearing heart fire, treating aphthous and tongue sores caused by flaming up of heart-fire.
  • Inducing diuresis and treating scanty dark urine, and difficulty and pain in micturition caused by heat entering the small intestine.
  • Purging fire, treating coma and delirium caused by invasion of pericardium by heat.
  • Inhibiting Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
  • Studies have found that its flavonoids can extend the swimming time of mice in a weight-bearing environment. It has an anti-fatigue effect.

Combinations

Side Effects

  • At present, there are no reports in the literature that Zhu Ye has toxic effects, and there are no reports of serious adverse reactions when taken by the prescribed dose.
  • A small number of people taking it may cause gastrointestinal reactions such as nausea and vomiting.

Precautions and Warnings

  • The dosage of Zhu Ye should be controlled at 6-15g.
  • When using fresh Zhu Ye, the dose should be doubled.
  • It can be made into decoctions, medicinal liquors, or teas.
  • Patients with hyperactivity of fire due to yin deficiency should not take it.
  • Patients with hot flashes should not take it.
  • People who urinate frequently should not take it.
  • Pregnant women should not take it.