Anemarrhena also known as zhi mu has been used as a staple of traditional chinese medicine for centuries; its first recorded use dates back to 200 bc. internally, it is used for a variety of disorders, including congestive fever, high fever, chronic bronchitis, excessive sweating, dry throat, cough, dizziness, lumbago and pneumonia. externally, it is used as part of a mouth wash to treat oral ulcers. extracts of the plant contain compounds called saponins — one of which, asphonin, can be used to effectively treat lower back pain.