Shui Zhi
Whitmania pigra Whitman, Hirudo nipponica Whitman, Whitmania acranulata Whitman
โฏ TCM Properties
Breaks Blood and Dispels Stasis; Promotes Menstruation; Disperses Accumulations and Dissipates Nodules
Botanical Description
Shui Zhi is the dried whole body of medicinal leeches, principally Whitmania pigra Whitman, Hirudo nipponica Whitman, or Whitmania acranulata Whitman (Hirudinidae), aquatic segmented annelids found in freshwater ponds, ditches, and rice paddies across East Asia. The animals are collected in summer and autumn, killed in hot water or lime, then dried whole and cut into pieces before use. Leech bodies contain hirudin, a potent antithrombin peptide, along with histamine-like vasodilators, hyaluronidase, and other bioactive proteins concentrated in the salivary glands. In traditional Chinese medicine, Shui Zhi is salty, bitter, and neutral with mild toxicity, entering the liver channel; it strongly invigorates the blood and breaks up blood stasis, used for amenorrhea from blood stasis, abdominal masses, traumatic injury, and post-stroke hemiplegia. It is contraindicated in pregnancy and in patients without true blood stasis.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | Daily | โ | โ | โ |
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional Chinese Uses
Shui Zhi (leech) is one of the most powerful Blood-stasis-breaking substances in the Chinese materia medica, reserved for deep, stubborn, long-standing Blood stagnation that resists gentler herbs. This includes fixed abdominal masses, absent menstruation from Blood clots obstructing the uterus, traumatic injuries with severe internal bruising, and the aftermath of stroke. Classical sources note it disperses old stagnant Blood while preserving newly generated healthy Blood.
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.