Cyperi Rhizoma
Aliases：Que Tou Xiang、Suo Cao Gen、Xiang Fu Zi、Lei Gong Tou、Xiang Fu Mi、San Leng Cao Gen、Ku Qiang Tou
Xiangfu (Cyperi Rhizoma), a Chinese medicinal, is the dried rhizome of Cyperus rotundus L., a plant of the Cyperaceae family (genus Cyperus).
Efficacy & Actions
Soothe the liver and relieve depression, regulate qi to relieve stuffiness in the middle, and regulate menstruation to relieve pain.
Indications
Liver qi stagnation with chest and hypochondriac distending pain, hernia pain, breast distending pain; spleen and stomach qi stagnation with epigastric and abdominal stuffiness, distension and pain; irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, etc.
Modern Pharmacology
Modern studies have shown that Xiangfu (Cyperi Rhizoma) has analgesic, anti‑inflammatory, antioxidant, antidepressant, antitumor, hypoglycemic, and prokinetic (promoting gastrointestinal motility) effects, among others.
Ingredients
Xiangfu (Cyperi Rhizoma) mainly contains volatile oils (α-cyperone, β-cyperone, cyperene, β-pinene, limonene, etc.), flavonoids, alkaloids, and triterpenoids, among other components.
Usage & Dosage
Internal use: 5–10 g in decoction; may also be used in pills or powders. External use: Appropriate amount, ground into powder for dusting or applied as a paste.
Contraindications
Using it alone, in large doses, or for a prolonged period may easily consume qi and damage blood; therefore, excessive and long‑term use should be avoided. It should not be used together with Veratrum nigrum (Lilu). During the course of medication, avoid consuming cold‑nature and raw‑cold foods. It should not be decocted or stored in iron utensils.
Selected Formulas
1. Soothing the Liver and relieving depression: Often combined with Bupleuri Radix (Chaihu), Aurantii Fructus (Zhike), and Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuanxiong) – as in Chaihu Shugan San. 2. Stomach pain due to cold congealing with qi stagnation: Combined with Alpiniae Officinarum Rhizoma (Gaoliangjiang) – as in Liangfu Wan. 3. Six depressions pattern (Qi, Blood, Phlegm, Fire, Dampness, Food): Combined with Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuanxiong), Atractylodis Rhizoma (Cangzhu), and Gardeniae Fructus (Zhizi) – as in Yueju Wan. 4. Irregular menstruation and dysmenorrhea: Combined with Bupleuri Radix (Chaihu), Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuanxiong), and Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui) – as in Xiangfu Guiqiong Tang. 5. Breast distension and pain: Combined with Bupleuri Radix (Chaihu), Citri Reticulatae Viride Pericarpium (Qingpi), and Trichosanthis Pericarpium (Gualoupi).
Daily Consumption
1. Xiangfu Oat Congee Decoct 10 g of Xiangfu (Cyperi Rhizoma) to obtain the liquid. Cook 100 g of oat flakes with the liquid into congee. Actions: Soothes the liver and moves qi. 2. Yimucao and Xiangfu Chicken Soup Take 10 g of Xiangfu, 10 g of Yimucao (Leonuri Herba), and 250 g of chicken. Cook into soup, eating the meat and drinking the soup. Actions: Relieves dysmenorrhea and beautifies the skin. 3. Xiangfu Chicken Liver Soup Take 100 g of chicken liver, 9 g of Xiangfu, and appropriate amounts of onion, radish, and brown sugar. Cook into soup. Actions: Moves qi and warms the meridians. 4. Xiangfu Congee Decoct 15–30 g of Xiangfu to obtain the liquid. Cook japonica rice with the liquid and add brown sugar. Actions: Soothes the liver, regulates qi, regulates menstruation, and relieves pain. 5. Vinegar‑processed Xiangfu Congee Cook vinegar‑processed Xiangfu together with rice into congee. Indication: Suitable for spleen‑stomach qi stagnation and poor appetite.
Medicinal Parts
rhizome
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place, protected from insects.