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)

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
-the prepared herb is preferred for this purpose in TCM, but it has been used in its unprepared form too.

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
Tincture (1:8): 10–30 drops
Syrup: 1–2 drams

Preparation:


1. It is steamed with wine until black, then sun-dried. This makes it warming, better to clear Wind-Damp joint pain and able to strengthen the bones and joints. The Grand Materia Medica recommended steaming with alcohol, then drying in the sun, repeating this process 9 times to increase tonifying properties.

Main Combinations:


1. Wind-Damp Joint pain, Siegesbeckia Xi Xian Cao with Clematis Wei Ling Xian
2. Aching and numbness of the extremities from Kidney and Liver deficiency, Siegesbeckia Xi Xian Cao with prepared Polygonum multiflorum Zhi He Shou Wu and Eucommia Du Zhong.
3. Liver Heat:
i. Siegesbeckia Xi Xian Cao with Chrysanthemum Ju Hua
ii. Siegesbeckia Xi Xian Cao with Self Heal (Xia Ku Cao)
4. Headache, Dizziness, Hypertension:
i. Siegesbeckia Xi Xian Cao with Self Heal (Xia Ku Cao)
ii. Siegesbeckia Xi Xian Cao with Crisium Da Ji
ii. Siegesbeckia Xi Xian Cao with Clerodendron Chou Wu Tong
5. Uterine bleeding from blood heat, Siegesbeckia Xi Xian Cao with Eclipta Han Lian Cao
6. Has been used for obstruction of the Fallopian Tubes along with Leonurus Yi Mu Cao (Chinese Motherwort)

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