Siegesbeckia, Xi Xian Cao 稀薟草

St. Paul’s Wort
Xi Xian Cao (TCM)
Picture Siegesbeckia orientalis
Wight, R., , Icones plantarum Indiae orientalis (1840-1853)

Picture Siegesbeckia orientalis
(Photo by Elouanne) (Wikimedia)

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Botanical name:


Siegesbeckia (Sigesbeckia) spp.
  1. S. orientalis
  2. S. pubescens
  3. S. glabrescens

Parts used:


Herb

Temperature & Taste:


Cool, dry. Bitter

Classification:


D. Clear Wind & Damp

Uses:


1. Clears Wind-Damp, Unblocks the Channels: (TCM, Ayurveda)
-Wind-Damp joint pain; Arthritis, Rheumatism
-Spasms, Cramps, Numbness in the extremities
-weakness of the legs

2. Clears Heat, Settles Wind, Calms the Liver:
-Headache, Dizziness, Blurred Vision, Insomnia, Irritability, Tinnitus
-Hypertension
-it has also been used for Uterine bleeding from hot blood

3. Clears Heat and Damp, Stops Itching: (TCM, Ayurveda)
-Rashes from Wind-Damp or Damp-Heat
-Itching
-topically for skin diseases

4. Clears Heat, Resists Poison: (TCM, Ayurveda)
-Damp-Heat or Heat-Toxin Sores
-Scrofula, Leprosy, Syphilis (West)

5. Promotes Vomiting:
-the juice has been used as an emetic, to clear Phlegm

6. Externally:
-juice or tincture is applied to tinea, skin disease, thrush, gangrenous sores
-tincture has been applied to Ringworm
-fresh plant has been applied to foul and toxic sores
-juice or crushed leaf is applied topically to Venomous bites including Spider and Snake Bite


Dose:


Decoction: 9–15 grams
Powder: 2–5 grams

Preparation:


… available in PRO version
Picture

Main Combinations:


1. Wind-Damp Joint pain, Siegesbeckia Xi Xian Cao with … available in PRO version
2. Aching and numbness of the extremities, Siegesbeckia Xi Xian Cao with … available in PRO version
3. Liver Heat:
i. Siegesbeckia Xi Xian Cao with … available in PRO version
ii. Siegesbeckia Xi Xian Cao with … available in PRO version
4. Headache, Dizziness, Hypertension:
i. Siegesbeckia Xi Xian Cao with … available in PRO version
ii. Siegesbeckia Xi Xian Cao with … available in PRO version
ii. Siegesbeckia Xi Xian Cao with … available in PRO version
5. Uterine bleeding from blood heat, Siegesbeckia Xi Xian Cao with … available in PRO version
6. Has been used for obstruction of the Fallopian Tubes … available in PRO version

Major Formulas:


Cautions:


According to classical texts, it is not suitable for Lower Back pain and Knee weakness caused by Kidney weakness.

Main Preparations used:


Tincture