Rice-Paper Plant Pith Whole (Tetrapanax papyrifer) is the dried inner pith of the rice-paper plant, a species native to southern China and Taiwan, historically valued both for its medicinal properties and for the production of fine rice paper. In herbal traditions, this pith is light, porous, and mildly cooling, making it an important material in Traditional Chinese Medicine where it is known as Tong Cao (通草).
In TCM, Tong Cao is used to open the channels, promote lactation, and encourage urination, particularly in cases of edema, urinary difficulty, or insufficient breast milk due to stagnation of fluids. Its light and dispersing quality helps guide fluids downward and outward, relieving mild blockages and supporting the free flow of qi and water. Traditionally, it is also employed to help clear heat through urination and to facilitate the movement of fluids in postpartum care.
As a dried whole pith, Rice-Paper Plant is typically prepared as a tea, infusion, or decoction, often used alone or in combination with herbs that clear heat and regulate water passages. Its neutral to slightly sweet character makes it versatile in blends aimed at gently reducing swelling, easing discomfort from urinary stagnation, or supporting nursing mothers with low milk flow.
Each batch of Rice-Paper Plant Pith Whole (Tetrapanax papyrifer) is carefully harvested and dried to preserve its natural lightness and medicinal character. Whether prepared in traditional decoctions or combined into balancing herbal formulas, Tong Cao offers a classic example of how delicate plant parts can provide powerful yet gentle support for fluid regulation and women’s health.
