Natural Herb Library

Fragrant Solomonseal Rhizome

Chinese
玉竹
Pinyin
Yu Zhu
Latin
Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati
Botanical illustration of Fragrant Solomonseal Rhizome, Polygonatum odoratum, showing arching stems, flowers, rhizome, and diagnostic Yu Zhu details.
Botanical plate by Kodi .

Known in TCM as Yu Zhu (玉竹), this sweet, slightly cold herb enters the Lung, Stomach, and Heart. Traditionally, it nourishes Lung Yin and moistens dryness - Yu Zhu is used for dry cough, hoarseness, throat dryness, and scant sputum when dryness or post-febrile injury has depleted fluids, most often applied for dry cough, yin deficiency, and poor appetite. Modern research has identified Polygonatum among its active constituents.

Part used: Rhizome

Also Known As

Polygonati

Latin: Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati | Pinyin: Yu Zhu | Chinese: 玉竹

TCM Properties

Taste
sweet
Temperature
slightly cold
Channels
Lung, Stomach, Heart

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Nourishes Lung Yin and moistens dryness - Yu Zhu is used for dry cough, hoarseness, throat dryness, and scant sputum when dryness or post-febrile injury has depleted fluids.
  • Nourishes Stomach Yin and generates fluids - it treats thirst, dry mouth, hunger without appetite, and dry stool from Stomach fluid deficiency.
  • Gently clears residual heat without being cloying - this makes it useful in warm-dryness and post-illness patterns where some exterior or residual heat remains.

Secondary Actions

  • Yu Zhu is gentler and less greasy than many Yin tonics, so it is often used when there is residual pathogen or fragile digestion.
  • It is commonly paired with Sha Shen and Mai Dong when Lung and Stomach dryness occur together.

Classic Formulas

  • Sha Shen Mai Dong Tang - classic dryness-injured Lung formula pairing Yu Zhu with Sha Shen and Mai Men Dong.
  • Yi Wei Tang - Stomach-Yin formula in which Yu Zhu helps restore fluid and appetite after heat has damaged the middle burner.
  • Qianjin Weirui Tang - wind-warm and Yin-deficiency exterior formula where Yu Zhu acts as the principal moistening herb.

Classical References

  • TCM Wiki describes Yu Zhu as sweet and slightly cold, entering the Lung, Stomach, and Heart to nourish Yin and clear slight heat.
  • Formula commentary from Qianjin Weirui Tang and Sha Shen Mai Dong Tang emphasizes Yu Zhu's ability to moisten without trapping residual pathogen.

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Polygonatum odoratum polysaccharides - the best-studied macromolecular constituents of Yu Zhu
  • Homoisoflavonoids and flavonoids - antioxidant and signaling-related constituents reported in modern reviews
  • Steroidal saponins - characteristic secondary metabolites of the Polygonatum lineage
  • Phenolic constituents - supportive compounds in antioxidant and functional-food literature

Studied Effects

  • A 2025 comprehensive review summarized the botany, chemistry, bioactivity, and applications of Polygonatum odoratum, reinforcing its importance as both a medicinal and food-medicine plant (PMID 40335673).
  • A 2025 review focused on Polygonatum odoratum polysaccharides and summarized antioxidant, immunomodulatory, hypoglycemic, and gut-related interests in this fraction (PMID 40907918).
  • Most modern evidence is preclinical or functional-food oriented rather than based on herb-specific clinical trials that mirror classical decoction practice.

PubMed References

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

  • Damp-phlegm patterns with greasy tongue and marked stagnation
  • Loose stool from Spleen deficiency when rich moistening tonics worsen fullness

Cautions

  • Yu Zhu is gentle, but in people with marked dampness or cloying-food intolerance it can worsen abdominal fullness or loose stool.
  • Modern literature often focuses on polysaccharide or functional-food fractions rather than classical decoction use.
  • MSK page not found - drug interaction data not available from Memorial Sloan Kettering integrative medicine database

Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fragrant Solomonseal Rhizome used for?

Fragrant Solomonseal Rhizome is traditionally used to Nourishes Lung Yin and moistens dryness - Yu Zhu is used for dry cough, hoarseness, throat dryness, and scant sputum when dryness or post-febrile injury has depleted fluids., Nourishes Stomach Yin and generates fluids - it treats thirst, dry mouth, hunger without appetite, and dry stool from Stomach fluid deficiency., Gently clears residual heat without being cloying - this makes it useful in warm-dryness and post-illness patterns where some exterior or residual heat remains.. Research has investigated its effects on: A 2025 comprehensive review summarized the botany, chemistry, bioactivity, and applications of Polygonatum odoratum, reinforcing its importance as both a medicinal and food-medicine plant (PMID 40335673).; A 2025 review focused on Polygonatum odoratum polysaccharides and summarized antioxidant, immunomodulatory, hypoglycemic, and gut-related interests in this fraction (PMID 40907918)..

What are other names for Fragrant Solomonseal Rhizome?

Fragrant Solomonseal Rhizome is also known as Polygonati. In TCM: 玉竹 (Yu Zhu); Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati.

Is Fragrant Solomonseal Rhizome safe during pregnancy?

The safety of Fragrant Solomonseal Rhizome during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.

What are the contraindications for Fragrant Solomonseal Rhizome?

Fragrant Solomonseal Rhizome should not be used in: Damp-phlegm patterns with greasy tongue and marked stagnation; Loose stool from Spleen deficiency when rich moistening tonics worsen fullness. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.