Elsholtziae Longidentatae Herba
Zǐ Xiāng Rú is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, derived from the dried whole plant of Elsholtzia longidentata Sunined., a plant belonging to the family Lamiaceae. This plant is an annual herb, aromatic throughout, with an erect, quadrangular, much-branched stem that is often purplish. The leaves are opposite, lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate, with serrate margins. The verticillasters are many-flowered, forming terminal spikes with purplish-red or pale purple corollas. It flowers in autumn. It is mainly produced in Sichuan Province and other regions. In folk medicine, Zǐ Xiāng Rú is a commonly used herb for relieving summer heat, promoting diuresis, and stopping vomiting. With its pungent, warm, and aromatic nature, it is good at dispersing external summer pathogenic factors and resolving internal dampness, making it an excellent remedy for summer colds caused by exposure to cold and consumption of cold foods.
Efficacy & Actions
Induces sweating, relieves summer heat, reduces swelling, promotes diuresis, strengthens the Stomach, and stops vomiting.
Indications
Indicated for summer-heat common cold (fever, headache, and body pain due to summer-heat pathogenic factors) and edema with abdominal pain (swelling and abdominal distension due to dampness stagnation with Qi obstruction). It may also be used for summer colds with chills, fever without sweating, headache, chest fullness, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea caused by exposure to cold and consumption of cold foods.
Modern Pharmacology
Modern pharmacological research has shown that plants of the genus Elsholtzia generally possess diaphoretic, antipyretic, sedative, analgesic, antibacterial, antiviral, and immunoenhancing effects. The volatile oil contained in Zǐ Xiāng Rú is the main material basis for its diaphoretic, antipyretic, and antibacterial activities. Studies on the related species Elsholtzia argyi have shown that its 95% ethanol extract exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, with isolated compounds including thymol, pinocembrin, andrographolide, perillene, and others. Most plants of the genus Elsholtzia exhibit antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
Ingredients
Zǐ Xiāng Rú mainly contains volatile oil, which is its primary active component. The volatile oil mainly contains monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. Various chemical constituents have been isolated and identified from the related species Elsholtzia argyi (Purple Flower Elsholtzia), with the main types including: Volatile oils: Citral, (Z)-citral, (E)-β-farnesene, caryophyllene, (Z)-ocimene, D-limonene, and others. Terpenoids: Monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, monoterpene dimers (elsarchinterpene A and B). Flavonoids: 7-Methoxy-2,5-dihydroxyflavanone, tectochrysin, 5-hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxyflavone, pinocembrin, chrysin, tricin, and others. Phenylpropanoids: Andrographolide, 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide. Phenolics: Thymol. Lignans: (+)-Pinoresinol, (+)-syringaresinol. Others: Norlibocedroquinone, perillene, and others.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 3–9 g (1–3 qián).
Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with exterior deficiency and excessive sweating—as this herb has strong diaphoretic effects, it may further deplete bodily fluids in those with spontaneous sweating due to exterior deficiency. Use with caution in patients with summer-heat injuring fluids and marked thirst—pungent, warm herbs may easily generate heat and damage Yin. This herb is pungent, warm, and aromatic; prolonged decoction should be avoided to prevent the loss of volatile active components. Pregnant women and those with weak constitutions should use under the guidance of a physician.
Selected Formulas
For summer-heat cold with fever and anhidrosis (empirical formula) Take 9g of Zixiangru (Elsholtzia ciliata), 12g each of fresh Huoxiang (Pogostemon) and fresh Peilan (Eupatorium). Decoct in water and drink warm, then cover with a blanket to induce slight sweating. For edema with abdominal pain and difficult urination (empirical formula) Take 6g of Zixiangru, 9g of Baizhu (Atractylodes), and 12g of Fuling (Poria). Decoct in water and drink. For summer vomiting and diarrhea with chest and abdominal distension (empirical formula) Take 9g of Zixiangru, 6g of Jianghoupo (ginger-processed Magnolia bark), and 12g of Baibiandou (white hyacinth bean). Decoct in water and drink.
Daily Consumption
Decoction for oral administration: Take 3–9 g of Zǐ Xiāng Rú, decoct in water, strain, and drink the liquid. This is the most commonly used method. Tea: Take 3 g of Zǐ Xiāng Rú, steep in boiling water, cover and let steep for 5 minutes, then drink. It can be used as a summer beverage to relieve heat. Congee for dietary therapy: Take 6 g of Zǐ Xiāng Rú and 50 g of polished rice. First decoct the Zǐ Xiāng Rú, strain to remove the residue, then cook the rice in the medicinal liquid to make congee. It is suitable for those with summer-dampness affecting the Spleen and poor appetite.
Medicinal Parts
Dried whole plant.
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place in a sealed container, protected from moisture and to prevent the loss of fragrance.
