Siegesbeckiae Herba
Aliases：Xī Xiān, Huǒ Xiān, Zhū Gāo Méi, Huǒ Xiān Cǎo, Zhū Gāo Cǎo, Hǔ Xiān, Zhū Mǔ Cài, Sì Léng Má, Dà Jiē Gǔ, Dà Yè Cǎo, Fēng Shī Cǎo; Nián Bù Zhā, Xī Jiān Cǎo, Nián Hú Cài, Huáng Huā Zǎi, Féi Zhū Cài, Nián Cāng Zǐ, Féi Zhū Cǎo; Nián Jīn Qiáng Zǐ, Zhū Cǎo, Mián Cāng Láng.
Xī Xiān Cǎo is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. It is the dried aerial part of Siegesbeckia orientalis L., Siegesbeckia pubescens Makino, or Siegesbeckia glabrescens Makino, plants belonging to the genus Siegesbeckia of the family Asteraceae. This annual herb is covered with grey pubescence throughout. The stem is slightly quadrangular with many branches; the leaves are opposite, ovate, with obtuse serrate margins and white pubescence on both surfaces. Xī Xiān Cǎo was first recorded in the Tang Dynasty Xinxiu Bencao (Newly Revised Materia Medica).
Efficacy & Actions
Dispels wind-dampness, benefits the joints, and detoxifies.
Indications
Indicated for wind-dampness arthralgia, weak sinews and bones, soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, numbness of the limbs, hemiplegia, urticaria and eczema. It may also be applicable to conditions diagnosed in Western medicine as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis pertaining to wind-damp-heat patterns, cerebrovascular disease sequelae and stroke precursors due to prolonged wind-dampness with Liver and Kidney deficiency, jaundice hepatitis due to internal accumulation of damp-heat, and furuncles, carbuncles, and skin infections pertaining to wind-dampness in the exterior.
Modern Pharmacology
Anti-inflammatory effects: Xī Xiān Cǎo exhibits significant anti-inflammatory activity. Analgesic effects: Possesses good analgesic properties. Immunosuppressive effects: Inhibits immune function. Cardiovascular protection: Has antihypertensive and vasodilatory effects; protects against cerebral ischemia injury and inhibits thrombosis. Antipathogenic effects: Exhibits anti-herpes simplex virus activity. Anti-early pregnancy effects. Hypoglycemic effects: Lowers blood glucose levels. Antitumor effects. In addition, the methanol extract of Xī Xiān Cǎo shows inhibitory activity against angiotensin-converting enzyme. Its active components, darutigenol and kirenol, have demonstrated significant effects against myocardial hypoxia injury.
Ingredients
Terpenoids: Kirenol, darutigenol, siegesbeckic acid, siegesbeckioside Lactones Sterols Flavonoids: Quercetin, baicalin, and others Siegesbeckioside, kirenol, darutigenol, quercetin, and baicalin have been predicted as quality markers (Q-Markers) for Xī Xiān Cǎo. The Chinese Pharmacopoeia uses kirenol as the content determination indicator.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 9–12 g; high doses of up to 30–60 g may be used. May also be extracted as juice or made into pills or powders. For external use: apply an appropriate amount, crushed and applied topically; or ground into powder and sprinkled; or decocted in water for fumigation and washing.
Contraindications
Use with caution in patients with Yin-blood deficiency—as Xī Xiān Cǎo is pungent and dispersing, it may aggravate the condition in those with Yin-blood deficiency. Use with caution in patients without wind-dampness conditions. Use of the raw herb or high doses may easily cause vomiting.
Selected Formulas
For wind-dampness heat bi with joint redness, swelling, and pain (Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Xixian Wan) Take Xixiancao (Siegesbeckia herb) alone, make into pills and take. For wind-dampness heat bi (Ministerial Standard, Xixian Fengshi Pian) Take Xixiancao together with Fangji (Stephania root), Weilingxian (Clematis), and Sangzhi (Mulberry twig). Make into tablets and take. For wind striking the channels with facial deviation and hemiplegia (empirical formula) Take Xixiancao with Qishe (Agkistrodon), Huangqi (Astragalus), and Danggui (Angelica). Decoct in water and drink. For urticaria and eczema (empirical formula) Take Xixiancao alone for internal use or external washing; or combine with Baijili (Tribulus fruit), Difuzi (Kochia fruit), and Baixianpi (Dictamnus root bark). For carbuncles and sores (empirical formula) Take Xixiancao with Pugongying (Dandelion) and Yejuhua (Chrysanthemum indicum). Decoct in water and drink. For leprous wind with weak legs (Zhangshi Yitong, Xixian Wan) Take 1 jin of Xixiancao (red-stemmed, collected in May, dried in the shade, pure leaves steamed and dried with honey wine nine times), 1 liang each of Danggui, Shaoyao (Peony), and Shudi (Prepared Rehmannia), 6 qian of Chuanwu (processed with black beans), and 1 liang each of Qianghuo (Notopterygium) and Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia). Grind into powder, make honey pills. Take 2 qian each time with warm wine on an empty stomach. For intestinal wind with bloody stools (Fangmai Zhengzong) Take Xixian leaves, steam with wine and grind into powder, mix with honey to make pills. Take 3 qian each time with plain boiled water.
Daily Consumption
Xī Xiān Cǎo is primarily used for medicinal purposes; its daily dietary applications are limited.
Medicinal Parts
Dried aerial parts.
Selection & Storage
Store in a ventilated, dry place.
