Dendrobium Stem — Classic Formulas
Shi Hu · Herba Dendrobii
Primary Actions
- Nourishes Stomach Yin and generates fluids - Shi Hu is a classic herb for dry mouth, thirst, hunger without desire to eat, and burning or uncomfortable epigastric sensation from fluid depletion and yin deficiency.
- Nourishes Kidney Yin and clears deficiency heat - traditional use includes low-grade fever, wasting, and weakness patterns where deep yin depletion has begun to affect the lower burner.
- Benefits the eyes and sinews in deficiency patterns - later teaching extends Shi Hu to blurred vision and weakness of tendons or bones when Liver-Kidney yin is depleted.
Classic Formulas
- Qing Re Bao Jin Tang - classical warm-disease formula using Shi Hu to replenish fluids injured by heat.
- Shi Hu Ye Guang Wan - eye-focused formula pairing Shi Hu with Liver-Kidney nourishing herbs for dim or blurry vision from deficiency.
- Shi Hu with Mai Men Dong and Yu Zhu - common Stomach-Yin pairing logic for dryness and poor appetite.
Classical Text References
- TCM Wiki classifies Shi Hu as sweet and slightly cold, entering the Stomach and Kidney channels, with the central actions of nourishing yin of the Stomach and Kidneys and clearing deficiency heat.
- Traditional indication sets emphasize both fluid depletion in the middle burner and deficiency heat or eye weakness rooted in Kidney depletion.