Herb module
Shi Chang Pu
Sweetflag RhizomeAcorus tatarinowii
A warm, fragrant root used to clear a foggy mind, calm the Spirit, and lift away heavy Phlegm and Dampness.
Shi Chang Pu is the aromatic underground stem of a grass-like water plant. Its fragrance is said to "open the orifices," clearing the way for a bright, alert mind and a settled Spirit. Zoi uses it in three formulas: Brain + Mood | Xýlo™, Lung Meridian™, and Heart Meridian™.
Best functions
- Traditionally used to open the orifices and clear the mind, supporting memory and alertness
- Used to transform Phlegm and Dampness, especially Turbid Phlegm said to "mist" the Heart
- Used to calm the Spirit (Shen)
- Used to harmonize the Spleen and Stomach and to move Qi and Blood
- Traditionally used to benefit the throat and reduce swelling
Fascinating facts
- Traditional Chinese Medicine describes a cloudy, foggy mind as Turbid Phlegm "misting the Heart." Shi Chang Pu is the classic herb for clearing that mist.
- Shi Chang Pu is fondly known as an "orifice opener," an herb whose fragrance is said to open the senses and bring a feeling of clarity.
- "Shi" means stone. The name reflects this plant's habit of growing on wet rocks along mountain streams.
- Research has looked at how Shi Chang Pu influences neurotransmitter levels. Zoi notes this may help explain why it can both calm and brighten the mind.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine
Shi Chang Pu is pungent, bitter, warm, and aromatic, and it enters the Heart, Stomach, and Lung channels. It belongs to the aromatic herbs.
Biomedical deep dive
Shi Chang Pu Sweetflag Rhizome
From the Zoi Medicinals fact sheets’ Biomedical Details, with lines from Noa’s herb notes marked “Noa’s notes”.
On the fact sheet
- Shi Chang Pu (Sweetflag Rhizome, Rhizoma Acori talarinowii) is warm and aromatic and enters the HT, ST and LU meridians; opens the orifices, vaporizes Phlegm, calms the Spirit, disperses Wind, transforms Damp, harmonizes the Spleen, moves Qi and Blood, reduces swelling, alleviates sores and benefits the throat. Brain + · Mood | Xýlo · Heart Meridian sheets
- Shi Chang Pu (Sweetflag Rhizome, Rhizoma Acori talarinowii) is warm and aromatic and enters the HT, ST and LU channels; opens the orifices, vaporize Phlegm, calms the Spirit and disperses Wind, transforms Damp, harmonizes the Spleen and moves Qi and Blood, reduces swelling, alleviates sores and benefits the throat. Lung · Meridian sheet
Key active constituents
The fact sheets don’t name constituents for this herb.
Pharmacology and mechanisms
- Shi Chang Pu has been shown to modulate neurotransmitter levels (brain chemical messengers), which may explain why it can both calm and lift mood.
- It is one of the Xýlo herbs with strong anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective (nerve-protecting) properties in many studies.
- It has exhibited nerve-regenerative properties, helping nerve cells regrow.
- Alpha-asarone (a key compound) is neuroprotective and reduces acetylcholinesterase activity, which supports memory chemistry. Noa’s notes
- Anxiolytic (calming) through serotonin and dopamine signaling. Noa’s notes
- Anti-epileptic: reduced seizure frequency via GABA potentiation in animal models. Noa’s notes
What the research says
- The Xýlo sheet lists Shi Chang Pu among herbs with reported anti-depressant effects (Wen et al., Front Pharmacol 2023).
- With hawthorn, Dan Shen, wolfberry, schisandra and Polygala, Acorus showed anti-anxiety and anti-depressant effects in animal and other studies (Wen et al., Front Pharmacol 2023).
Safety, interactions and cautions
- Every Zoi fact sheet: do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding unless directed by your health care practitioner.
- The Brain + Mood | Xýlo fact sheet advises anyone with a medical condition or taking medication to consult their doctor before use.
- Avoid in Yin deficiency without Phlegm, or with excess sweating. Noa’s notes
- Use caution with Yin deficiency with heat and dryness. Noa’s notes
In these Zoi formulas
- ★ Lung Meridian (#2 on the fact sheet)
- Brain + Mood | Xýlo (#8 on the fact sheet)
- Heart Meridian (#7 on the fact sheet)
