Ou Jie (藕节) — Lotus Rhizome Node | TCM Herb Guide
Key Takeaways
- Nature: Neutral | Taste: Astringent, Sweet
- Category: Herbs that Stop Bleeding
- Latin: Nelumbinis Rhizomatis Nodus
At a Glance
- Herb: Ou Jie
- Chinese name: 藕节 (Ǒu Jié)
- Latin name: Nelumbinis Rhizomatis Nodus
- Nature: Neutral
- Taste: Sweet / Astringent
- Meridian: Liver / Lung / Stomach
- Category: Herbs that Stop Bleeding
- Introduction: Ou Jie (藕节), Nodus Nelumbinis Rhizomatis, is the dried node (joint) of the lotus rhizome (Nelumbo nucifera). Unique among hemostatic herbs, it simultaneously stops bleeding through astringency while also resolving blood stasis — preventing blood from clotting and stagnating internally. Used for all types of blood-heat bleeding, it is particularly gentle and suitable for mild to moderate hemorrhage. Modern research confirms tannins and asparagine with astringent and mild anticoagulant properties.
Action
- Stops bleeding (astringes)
- Resolves blood stasis
- Clears heat (mild)
- Suitable for all types of bleeding without causing stagnation
Clinical Application
- Blood-heat bleeding: hemoptysis, epistaxis, hematuria, hematochezia — combines with Xiao Ji, Pu Huang, Ce Bai Ye
- Hematuria from damp-heat — combines with Bai Mao Gen, Xiao Ji, Sheng Di Huang
- Hemoptysis from lung heat — combines with E Jiao, Bai Ji, San Qi
- Uterine bleeding — combines with Ai Ye Tan, Zong Lu Tan
- Traumatic bleeding (internal and external) — combines with San Qi
Precautions
- Dosage: 9–15 g in decoction; 10–30 g fresh
- Charred form (藕节炭): stronger hemostatic action
- Fresh form: gentle, generates fluids, mild hemostatic
- Contraindicated in cold-type bleeding — cold in nature
- Generally very safe — also a common food (lotus root nodes eaten in China)
- Fresh juice (30–60 ml) used for acute epistaxis and hemoptysis
Formula
- Xiao Ji Yin Zi (小蓟饮子): Ou Jie, Xiao Ji, Bai Mao Gen, Pu Huang, Sheng Di Huang, Hua Shi, Mu Tong, Dang Gui, Zhi Zi, Gan Cao — hematuria formula
- Ou Jie San (藕节散): Ou Jie alone as powder — simple hemostatic formula for mild hemorrhage
- Wu Zhi Yin (五汁饮): fresh Ou Jie juice included — nourishes yin, generates fluids, stops bleeding
Combinations
- Lotus Node (藕节) + Woolly Grass Rhizome (白茅根) + Small Thistle (小蓟) → Xiao Ji Yin Zi (小蓟饮子) basis: cool blood, stop bleeding; hematuria
- Lotus Node (藕节) + Large Thistle (大蓟) + Chinese Arborvitae Leaf (侧柏叶) → Shi Hui San (十灰散) component: astringe and cool blood; stop all types of heat-type bleeding
Pharmacological Effects
- Hemostatic
- tannins promote coagulation and contract blood vessels
- Mild blood-activating
- prevents stasis while stopping bleeding — unique dual action
- Anti-inflammatory; antioxidant; gentle action — suitable for all types of bleeding; charred form
- 藕节炭) has stronger hemostatic action
Classic Description
- Ben Cao Gang Mu (《本草纲目》): ‘Lotus Node can stop coughing of blood, epistaxis, blood strangury, hematuria, rectal bleeding, bloody dysentery, and uterine flooding.’
- Ben Cao Bei Yao (《本草备要》): ‘Astringent and balanced; stops hematemesis, epistaxis, blood strangury, hematuria, rectal bleeding, bloody dysentery, and uterine flooding; its function specializes in stopping bleeding while also dispersing blood stasis.’
- Yao Xing Lun (《药性论》): ‘Pounded for juice; governs unremitting hematemesis; treats bleeding from both the mouth and nose.’
- Shi Liao Ben Cao (《食疗本草》): ‘Suppresses heat, disperses blood, and generates flesh.’