Medulla Tetrapanacis
The gentle lactation and water-draining pith — Tong Cao promotes the free flow of breast milk, clears damp-heat, and unblocks urination, a classic postpartum confinement herb.
What Is Medulla Tetrapanacis?
Medulla Tetrapanacis (Tong Cao, 通草) is the dried white, spongy pith taken from the stem of the rice-paper plant, Tetrapanax papyrifer. Its name literally means "the unblocker" — a gentle, light herb whose defining action is to open and free the body’s passages, particularly the flow of milk and of water.
Sweet, bland, and slightly cold in nature, Medulla Tetrapanacis enters the Lung and Stomach channels. It is one of the most trusted herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine for promoting lactation, and it also promotes urination and clears damp-heat. Its mild, unblocking character — moving without depleting — makes it especially well suited to nursing mothers, where it helps support a smooth, abundant flow of breast milk. This gentle, supportive nature is why it features so often in postpartum and confinement soups.
History & Origin
Tong Cao has been valued for centuries as a light, gentle herb for unblocking lactation and draining dampness, with its pith carefully harvested from the rice-paper plant.
Traditional Uses
Promotes Lactation
A classic, gentle galactagogue — promotes the free flow of breast milk, widely used in postpartum and confinement soups for nursing mothers.
Promotes Urination
Unblocks and promotes urination, relieving difficult, scanty, or painful urination and supporting healthy fluid balance.
Clears Damp-Heat
Drains damp-heat downward through urination, helping relieve heat and dampness accumulation in the lower body.
Reduces Water Retention
Helps the body clear excess fluid and swelling through its gentle diuretic action.
Health Benefits
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Lactation SupportA gentle galactagogue that promotes the smooth, free flow of breast milk for nursing mothers.
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Fluid BalancePromotes healthy urination and helps clear excess water and dampness from the body.
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Clears Damp-HeatDrains damp-heat downward to relieve heat and dampness in the lower body.
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Gentle & MildA light, food-grade herb that unblocks the passages without depleting the body.
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Supports RecoveryTraditionally used in postpartum soups to support a comfortable, well-nourished recovery.
Soups Featuring Medulla Tetrapanacis
Medulla Tetrapanacis is a key ingredient in this Food Art no-cook herbal soup, thoughtfully formulated to deliver its nourishing benefits in a convenient, ready-to-brew format.
The information on this page is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products.