Rehmannia / di huang
Rehmannia glutinosa
Other names: 地黄 / 地黃 dìhuáng; 生地黄 shēng dìhuáng; 熟地黄 shú dìhuáng, Rehmannia / di huang
Photo credit: Shizhao
Safety information
Safety information
Toxicity: Generally low-toxicity in traditional use; can be cloying/cause digestive upset (traditional caution); comprehensive human safety data limited.
Contraindications: Traditionally avoided in spleen-deficiency with dampness/poor digestion; clinical data limited.
Interactions: Not well characterized.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Data limited.
Evidence level
Supported by laboratory or animal studies; not yet confirmed in humans.
Preparations
decoction · root
Part used: root
Traditional use: Traditionally for blood loss, 'blood deficiency,' and anemia.
How to prepare (traditional): Shu di huang (wine-cooked root): simmer about 15 g root in about 500 ml red wine for 20 minutes.
Dosage note (descriptive only): For blood loss and anemia, take about 100 ml daily.
Associated conditions
Nutritional notes
Not a nutritional food; iridoids (catalpol), monoterpene and phenethyl alcohol glycosides.
Healing traditions
Sources (2)
- Rehmannia glutinosa (Wikipedia), English, accessed 2026, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rehmannia_glutinosa
- Oh H., Remophilanetriol: A New Eremophilane from the Roots of Rehmannia glutinosa, ChemInform 2006, doi:10.1002/chin.200602189