Shearer's Pyrrosia Leaf
- Chinese
- 石韦
- Pinyin
- Shi Wei
- Latin
- Folium Pyrrosiae
Known in TCM as Shi Wei (石韦), this sweet and bitter, slightly cold herb enters the Bladder and Lung. Traditionally, it promotes urination and relieves painful urinary dysfunction ... Shi Wei is especially associated with Heat strangury, blood in the urine, and urinary difficulty from damp-heat, most often applied for urinary tract infection, hematuria, and productive cough. Modern research has identified Xanthone among its active constituents.
Part used: Leaf
Also Known As
Latin: Folium Pyrrosiae | Pinyin: Shi Wei | Chinese: 石韦
TCM Properties
- Taste
- sweet, bitter
- Temperature
- slightly cold
- Channels
- Bladder, Lung
Traditional Use
Primary Actions
- Promotes urination and relieves painful urinary dysfunction ... Shi Wei is especially associated with Heat strangury, blood in the urine, and urinary difficulty from damp-heat.
- Cools blood and stops bleeding ... the herb is classically used when bleeding appears in the urine or when Lung heat drives blood upward.
- Clears Lung heat, transforms phlegm, and stops cough ... productive cough, wheezing, and heat-type bronchial irritation are part of its traditional range.
Secondary Actions
- This page uses `Pyrrosia sheareri` as one authentic source species of Shi Wei, but the larger medicinal lane also includes `Pyrrosia lingua` and `Pyrrosia petiolosa`.
- Because multiple authentic source species exist, modern species-specific studies should be read as supportive rather than as exclusive proof for the whole Folium Pyrrosiae tradition.
Classic Formulas
- Shi Wei San ... classic formula context for blood strangury and painful urination.
- Urinary-heat combinations with Che Qian Zi, Hua Shi, or Qu Mai ... used when burning urination and blood in the urine dominate.
- Lung-heat cough pairings with Xing Ren or Chuan Bei Mu ... traditional strategy for cough with phlegm and heat.
Classical References
- Traditional herb references describe Shi Wei as sweet, bitter, and slightly cold, entering the Bladder and Lung to clear heat, treat strangury, stop bleeding, and relieve cough.
- The herb's usefulness for both urinary and Lung presentations reflects its ability to clear heat from more than one body pathway.
Modern Research
Active Compounds
- Xanthone glycosides and related phenolic constituents ... part of the identified chemistry of Pyrrosia species
- Flavonoids and other leaf metabolites ... supporting compounds in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant work
- Species-level chloroplast markers ... increasingly relevant to authentic-source identification
Studied Effects
- A 2020 chloroplast-genome study compared three original species of Pyrrosiae Folium, which is particularly useful for authentic-source clarification in Shi Wei quality control (PMID 32768164).
- A 2019 phytochemical paper identified a new xanthone glycoside from Pyrrosia sheareri, giving this exact source species some direct modern chemistry literature (PMID 30488728).
- A 2022 study found ethanolic extract of Pyrrosia lingua reduced experimental bone loss and osteoclastogenesis, which is indirect but still relevant species-group evidence for modern anti-inflammatory interest in the Shi Wei family (PMID 35033946).
PubMed References
- Molecular structure and phylogenetic analyses of the complete chloroplast genomes of three original species of Pyrrosiae Folium. (2020)
- A new xanthone glycoside from Pyrrosia sheareri. (2019)
- Ethanolic extract of Pyrrosia lingua (Thunb.) Farw. ameliorates OVX-induced bone loss and RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis. (2022)
Safety & Interactions
Contraindications
- Deficiency-cold urinary frequency without damp-heat
- Dry cough without Lung heat or phlegm
Cautions
- Shi Wei is best matched to heat, blood, and damp obstruction patterns rather than to cold-deficiency urinary weakness.
- Because source species vary, species-specific modern findings should not be overstated as universal clinical proof.
Conditions
- Urinary Tract Infection Traditional ★★★☆☆ JSON
- Hematuria Traditional ★★★★☆ JSON
- Productive Cough Traditional ★★☆☆☆ JSON
- Hemoptysis Traditional ★★☆☆☆ JSON
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Shearer's Pyrrosia Leaf used for?
Shearer's Pyrrosia Leaf is traditionally used to Promotes urination and relieves painful urinary dysfunction ... Shi Wei is especially associated with Heat strangury, blood in the urine, and urinary difficulty from damp-heat., Cools blood and stops bleeding ... the herb is classically used when bleeding appears in the urine or when Lung heat drives blood upward., Clears Lung heat, transforms phlegm, and stops cough ... productive cough, wheezing, and heat-type bronchial irritation are part of its traditional range.. Research has investigated its effects on: A 2020 chloroplast-genome study compared three original species of Pyrrosiae Folium, which is particularly useful for authentic-source clarification in Shi Wei quality control (PMID 32768164).; A 2019 phytochemical paper identified a new xanthone glycoside from Pyrrosia sheareri, giving this exact source species some direct modern chemistry literature (PMID 30488728)..
What are other names for Shearer's Pyrrosia Leaf?
Shearer's Pyrrosia Leaf is also known as Pyrrosia leaf, Pyrrosia sheareri leaf, Shi Wei. In TCM: 石韦 (Shi Wei); Folium Pyrrosiae.
Is Shearer's Pyrrosia Leaf safe during pregnancy?
The safety of Shearer's Pyrrosia Leaf during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.
What are the contraindications for Shearer's Pyrrosia Leaf?
Shearer's Pyrrosia Leaf should not be used in: Deficiency-cold urinary frequency without damp-heat; Dry cough without Lung heat or phlegm. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.