Ze Xie (Alisma Rhizome)
Ze Xie (Jian Xie) (Oval, light yellowish-brown, transverse ring-shaped grooves, concave, fibrous root scars)
Sichuan Ze Xie (Ridges, like a rice cooker)
Jiangxi Ze Xie (Spherical)
Ze Xie Slices (Firm texture, yellowish-white, numerous small pores showing starchiness)
Salt-Fried Ze Xie Slices
Ze Xie, E Zhu (Curcuma phaeocaulis), San Leng (Sparganium rhizome)
【Naming】
【Source】
Shen Nong’s Herbal Classic, Superior Grade
【Common Usage Level】
A
【Botanical Origin】
The tuber of Alismataceae plant Ze Xie Alisma plantago-aquatica L. and related plants of the same genus.
【Characteristics】
The dried tuber is round, oblong-spherical or obovate, about 4~7cm long and 3~5cm in diameter. The surface is yellowish-white, and light brown if the outer skin is not completely removed. It has irregular transverse ring-shaped depressions (ridges) and numerous raised fibrous root scars scattered, especially dense at the bottom. The texture is firm.
The processed slices are transversely cut into slices of varying sizes, 1.5~4.5cm in diameter and about 2~3mm thick. The surface is yellowish-white with irregular transverse ring-shaped shallow grooves and numerous small raised fibrous root scars. The cut surface is yellowish-white, starchy, and has numerous small pores. Under a magnifying glass, thin-walled tissues can be seen as sponge-like pits. It has no odor, slightly bitter taste. Salt-Ze Xie: slightly yellowish.
【Processing】
【Identification】
《Annotations to Materia Medica》: “The one with two branches is good.” 《Illustrated Materia Medica》: “The one from Hanzhong is the best.” 《Classified Materia Medica》: “The one with two branches at the tail is good.” 《Essentials of Materia Medica》: “The root without wormholes is good.” 《Compendium of Materia Medica》: “The one that is large and long, with two branches at the tail, is good.” 《Medical Symptoms and Signs》: “Ze Xie produced in Sendai in our country is the best.” 《Discrimination of Good and Bad》: “The one with a round, plump, and large ball shape, heavy body, yellowish-white exterior, white interior, fresh, and without wormholes is superior.”
The best is the one that is large, firm, yellowish-white, and sufficiently starchy.
【Identification Terminology】
1. Ridges: Irregular ring-shaped protrusions on the surface of the Ze Xie tuber, which are the nodes of the underground tuber.
【Category】
Rhizomes