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According to the herbal pharmacology textbook by 中国中医药出版社, Bamboo Shavings (竹茹) in Chinese Medicine refer to the middle layer of the bamboo stalk. It is sweet and slightly cold.

1. It is used in Jin Kui Yao Lue’s Tangerine Peel and Bamboo Shavings Decoction (橘皮竹茹汤) to clear heat and stem emesis. The pattern in this case is heat affecting a weak stomach. Fresh ginger can be added to mitigate its cold nature, while enhancing its counter-vomiting function.
2. It is used in Qianjin Fang’s Gallbladder Warming Decoction (温胆汤) to clear heat and to transform phlegm that is heaty in nature. This phlegm is more akin to the ama mentioned in ayurvedic medicine, not the stuff you cough out, rather toxins that accumulate in the body. The gallbladder is obstructed and the heaty phlegm creates havoc (胆郁痰扰), causing discomfort in the chest with alot of sputum to clear. This formula also targets insomnia.
3. It is used to cool the blood and stem hemorrhage (凉血止血). This to me is akin to what we understand as its anti-microbial effect. Research has shown it to be effective against E. coli and Salcomnella typhi, for example. Clinical research has also shown a powdered version to be useful as an external application to treat skin ulceration.

One last point to note: it should be used to treat heat indications. And if a weak stomach is diagnozed to be due to cold and not heat, this herb is contraindicated.

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