Spiraea salicifolia L.
Aliases：Liǔ Yè Xiù Xiàn Jú (literally "Willow‑leaf Spiraea"), Mǎ Niào Sōu (literally "Horse Urine Soak"), Liǔ Yè Xiù Qiú Jú (literally "Willow‑leaf Hydrangea"), Mǎ Niào Sāo (literally "Horse Urine Stench"), Zhēn Zhū Méi (literally "Pearl Plum"), Wáng Bā Cuì (literally "Turtle's Crisp"), and Shuǐ Huǒ Tǒng (literally "Water‑Fire Tube"). (These are all alternative names for Kōng Xīn Liǔ, i.e., Spiraea salicifolia.)
Kōng Xīn Liǔ (Willowleaf Spiraea) is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the root or whole plant of Spiraea salicifolia L., a plant belonging to the family Rosaceae. It grows along riverbanks, in wet grasslands, open areas, and mountain valleys at altitudes of 200–900 meters. It is recorded in the Heilongjiang Changyong Zhongcaoyao Shouce (Handbook of Commonly Used Chinese Herbal Medicines of Heilongjiang).
Efficacy & Actions
Promotes blood circulation and regulates menstruation, promotes diuresis and relieves constipation, resolves phlegm and relieves cough.
Indications
Traumatic injuries, joint soreness, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, difficult urination, constipation, and cough with excessive phlegm.
Modern Pharmacology
Blood‑activating effect: Improves blood circulation, used for traumatic injuries, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, and other blood stasis syndromes. Diuretic effect: Increases urine output, used for difficult urination. Laxative effect: Promotes intestinal motility, used for constipation. Antitussive and expectorant effect: Relieves cough with excessive phlegm.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 10–15 g. For topical application: appropriate amount, mashed for application.
Contraindications
Use with caution during pregnancy: This herb has the effect of promoting blood circulation and unblocking menstruation; pregnant women should use it under the guidance of a physician.
Selected Formulas
For traumatic injuries (empirical formula) Take 30g of the root and branch bark of Kongxin Liu (a local herb), decoct in water, and take in divided doses. For cough and general body aches (empirical formula) Take 30g of Kongxin Liu root, decoct in water, and take in divided doses. For knife wounds (empirical formula) Take tender leaves of Kongxin Liu, crush and apply to the wound. Replace when dry.
Medicinal Parts
It is the root or whole plant of Spiraea salicifolia L., a plant belonging to the family Rosaceae.
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place, protected from moisture and insects.
