Zhi Mu

Scientific Name(s): Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge.
Common Name(s): Anemarrhena rhizome, Zhi mu

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 21, 2021.

Clinical Overview

Use

Numerous in vitro and animal studies on the anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiplatelet, antidiabetic, and anticancer activity of A. asphodeloides and its application for improved learning and memory have been published.

Dosing

Zhi mu is available from commercial manufacturers. The most common dosage forms are the whole herb, capsules, and teas for treating "cold and bitter" conditions. Manufacturers suggest using three to six 500 mg capsules two to three times daily as a tea. However, some capsule formulations are a proprietary blend of herbs and are available in several strengths.

Contraindications

Avoid use in patients with known allergy or hypersensitivity reactions to A. asphodeloides or its constituents.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.

Interactions

None well documented.

Adverse Reactions

Information regarding adverse reactions with A. asphodeloides is limited.

Toxicology

Limited clinical studies are available on the toxicology of A. asphodeloides. There were no effects on mortality, body weight, or organ systems in rats receiving a 5 g/kg dose of WIN-34B (2 kg of dried Lonicera japonica flowers and 1 kg of A. asphodeloides root). Long-term toxicity studies in rats receiving WIN-34B at 1,000 or 2,000 mg/kg for 13 weeks resulted in no notable abnormalities.

Scientific Family

• Liliaceae

Botany

A. asphodeloides belongs to the family Liliaceae and is an evergreen perennial native to China, Korea, and Japan. The plant grows to a height of 0.5 m and a width of 1 m, and the thin leaves grow up to 70 cm long. The clusters of small, white to light-purple flowers are hermaphroditic (having both male and female organs) and blossom from August to September.Chevallier 1996, Park 2003, He and 2011

History

A. asphodeloides is listed in the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China and used medicinally to remove heat, quench fire, support the production of body fluid, and alleviate dryness syndrome.Zhou 2007 In Korea, mainland China, and Japan, the rhizomes have been traditionally used for their anodyne, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, diuretic, antidepressant, antiplatelet aggregator, and sedative properties.Youn 2009, Kim 2009, Kang 2010 The most commonly prescribed triple-drug Chinese herbal formula in Taiwan for insomnia in 2002 contained A. asphodeloides.Chen 2010 In traditional Chinese medicine, the rhizomes are also used for the treatment of lung disease.Bao 2007

Chemistry

The rhizome's medicinal activity is primarily associated with mangiferin and steroidal saponins, such as sarasapogenin and timosaponin AII and BII.Jung 2009 The foaming properties of the saponins have commercial applications and are added to shampoos, liquid detergents, toothpastes, and beverages.Chen 2010 Additional studies review the known chemical components of the rhizome.Youn 2009, Kang 2010, Zhang 1999 A pharmacokinetics study in rats on the intravenous (IV) and oral administration of the pharmacologically active constituent timosaponin B-II document oral bioavailability of only 1.1%.