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Anemarrhena (zhi mu)

Anemarrhena asphodeloides · 知母

Herbs & Roots. Chinese Medicine.

Also called Zhi mu, Anemarrhena rhizome, Anemarrhena root

Pinyin: Zhī Mǔ

Can lower blood sugar

Anemarrhena is a grass-like plant whose rhizome is used in Chinese medicine to cool signs of heat such as fever, thirst and dryness.

Did you know? The rhizome contains mangiferin, a yellow compound that is also found in mango leaves and bark.

What it may help, and how strong the proof is

Fever. Used in classic formulas for high fever with thirst. The herb alone has no good human trials.See the research: No trials in people found yet
Traditional proof
Blood sugar. Mice and rat studies show it may lower blood sugar. Human trials are lacking.See the research: 1 study in people
Traditional proof
Inflammation. Lab studies show anti-inflammatory effects. This has not been shown in people.See the research: 3 studies in people
Traditional proof

Parts of the body

Immune system, Pancreas & blood sugar, Joints

Traditional use

Chinese medicine uses it to clear heat, nourish body fluids, and ease thirst, fever and dry cough. It is a key herb in White Tiger Decoction (Bai Hu Tang) for high fever with thirst.

How it is classified

Herbal actions: Tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Hypoglycemic. Energy: cooling.
Chinese medicine: 知母 Clear heat. Nature: cold. Flavour: bitter, sweet. Enters the Lung, Stomach and Kidney channels.

How people take it

Usually taken as a decoction in Chinese herbal formulas, commonly about 6 to 12 grams of dried rhizome per day. Extract capsules follow their own label doses.

Decoction, capsule and powder.

Where to get it

Grows mainly in northern China and is cultivated there. Dried slices are sold in Chinese herb shops, and extracts come as capsules and powders online.

Be careful

Usually well tolerated at standard doses. Chinese texts warn it can upset people with weak digestion and loose stools. Its blood-sugar effect may need medicine adjustment for people with diabetes, and human safety data in pregnancy are lacking.

Avoid if: pregnancy; diarrhea or loose stools; weak digestion; low blood sugar.

Mixing with other things

Works well together
Paired in Bai He Zhi Mu Tang (Lily and Anemarrhena Decoction) for lingering heat, dry cough and restlessness.
Works well together
Both are in Bai Hu Tang (White Tiger Decoction), a classic formula for high fever with thirst.
Use caution
Diabetes medicine (metformin, insulin, glipizide, Ozempic)
Lab and animal studies suggest it lowers blood sugar. Combined with diabetes medicines, blood sugar could drop too low.

Adds up with others that may lower blood sugar: , , , , , , , , , , , , , and 54 more.

The honest take

Anemarrhena has a long place in Chinese formulas for fever and thirst. Most modern research is in test tubes, mice and rats. Its blood-sugar and anti-inflammatory claims have not been shown in people yet.

Sources

Each “See the research” link opens PubMed, the U.S. National Library of Medicine's index of medical studies, showing only trials and reviews done in people. The number tells you how much a use has been tested, not whether it worked. The proof rating tells you that.

Study counts checked October 2026.