Leech … Classic Formulas
Shui Zhi · Hirudo
Primary Actions
- Breaks blood and dispels stasis - Shui Zhi is one of the strongest blood-breaking medicinals, used for fixed masses, severe stasis, and obstruction with sharp, unmoving pain.
- Moves menstruation and resolves masses - traditional indications include amenorrhea from blood stasis and lower-abdomen accumulations.
- Treats traumatic injury - it is also used for severe bruising and injury when coagulated blood remains unresolved.
Classic Formulas
- Di Dang Tang - classic lower-abdomen blood-stasis formula using Shui Zhi with Tao Ren, Meng Chong, and Da Huang.
- Shui Zhi with Meng Chong - classic pair for strongly breaking stubborn masses and coagulated blood.
- Shui Zhi with Su Mu or Zi Ran Tong - trauma-focused pairing logic when pain and congealed blood are prominent.
Classical Text References
- Traditional references describe Shui Zhi as salty, bitter, neutral, and slightly toxic, entering the Liver to break blood and dispel stasis.
- This herb belongs to the hard-driving end of the blood-breaking category and should not be confused with milder circulation-supporting animal medicinals.
- The classical indication set is excess-type blood stasis, not deficiency-related poor circulation.