bi qi

荸荠·Rhizoma Eleocharitis

waternut

About bi qi

Bi Qi (荠荚) is the water chestnut, recorded as Rhizoma Eleocharitis. It is sweet in flavour and slightly cold, entering the Lung, Stomach and Large Intestine channels. The catalogue files it among the substances that transform Phlegm and stop coughing.

Names

Pinyin	bi qi
Chinese	荸荠
Latin Name	Rhizoma Eleocharitis
English Name	waternut

Classification

Category: Transform Phlegm and stop Coughing
Channels: Lung, Large Intestine, Stomach
Flavour: Sweet
Temperature: Slightly Cold

Actions and indications

Transforms Phlegm and reduces accumulations

Cough from Phlegm-Heat
Scrofula and other Phlegm nodules

Clears Heat from the Lungs and Stomach, generates Fluids and relieves thirst

Heat in the Lungs and Stomach causing thirst and constipation
Diabetes
Jaundice
Painful urinary dysfunction
Red eyes, and a sore, swollen throat
Warm pathogen diseases, for which it is often used

Cools the Blood, resolves toxicity, moves the bowels and improves appetite

Constipation
Conjunctivitis and corneal opacity
Hard masses
Indigestion

Combinations

xian lu gen + xian mai men dong + xian + ou jie + li zhi
Tai Yin warm pathogen disease with severe thirst and sticky Phlegm that is hard to cough up

Dosage

Age	Raw	Granule	Tincture	Concentrate	Frequency
Any 12-120g; Fresh macerated juice or powder: 30-60g	12-120 g	—	—	—	—

Cautions

contraindication Deficiency Cold
contraindication Blood deficiency
contraindication Cough from Yin deficiency