Conyza, Xiao Fei Peng 小飞蓬

Horseweed, Canadian Fleabane
Xiao Fei Peng, Qi Zhou Yi Zhi Hao, Xiao Bai Jiu Cao (TCM)
Picture Conyza canadensis
Smith, J.E., English botany, or coloured figures of British plants, ed. 3 [B] [J.E. Sowerby et al] (1866)

Picture Conyza canadensis
(Photo by Stan Shebs) (Wikimedia)

Botanical name:


Conyza canadensis (Syn. Erigeron canadensis)
Conyza bonariensis (Syn. Erigeron bonariensis; E. linifolius; E. crispus) is similar but more hairy, and is used similarly in TCM where it is called Xiang Si Cao.
Conyza (Fleabane) was known to Dioscorides and who listed Greater (C. squarrosa) and Lesser varieties.

Parts used:


Whole Herb

Temperature & Taste:


Cold, dry. Bitter, Pungent

Uses:


1. Clears Heat and Damp: (TCM, West)
-Diarrhea, Dysentery, Enteritis, acute Gastritis (TCM, West)
-Hepatitis, Cholecystitis (TCM, West)
-Dysuria

2. Clears Wind-Heat, Resists Poison:
-Cold, Fever
-Conjunctivitis, Otitis Media
-Acne, Psoriasis, Erysipelas (TCM, West)
-Toothache
-also Cramps, Convulsions, Hypertension (West)

3. Move the Blood, Clears Stasis, Resolve Swelling:
-Trauma, Bruising
-Wind-Damp Bone and Joint pain, Arthritis, Rheumatism (TCM, West)
-painful swollen Boils and Sores
-Cramps

4. Externally:
-Bruises, Sores, Boils, Toxic Swelling
–Eczema, Psoriasis
-Rheumatism, Bone Pain
-Traumatic Bleeding
–Otitis Media, Conjunctivitis (fresh leaf)


Dose:


It has been eaten as a food by Native Americans.
Standard Infusion (1 teaspoonful per cup of the dried herb in a cup of boiling water), 2–3 times daily
Essential Oil: 0.1–0.25ml

Main Combinations:


1. Psoriasis, rub the lesions twice daily with the fresh leaves twice daily. For Pustular Psoriasis or Psoriasis with thick scales, make a decoction and use as a wash and remove the flaky skin before rubbing with the fresh leaves. If it causes a little bleeding it is permissible to continue rubbing with the leaves. Continue once the Psoriasis clears up to prevent recurrence.

Major Formulas:




Cautions:


None noted

Main Preparations used: