The root or whole herb of Xanthium sibiricum, a plant in the Asteraceae family, is called Geshanxiang in Chinese. It is mainly distributed in Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangdong, and other provinces in China. It has the effects of relieving phlegm, stopping cough, reducing swelling, and relieving pain. It can be used to treat symptoms such as cold and cough, abdominal pain and diarrhea, and injuries and swelling caused by falls.
【Introduction of Geshanxiang】
Functions and Indications: Geshanxiang has the effects of dispersing wind and clearing heat, relieving phlegm and stopping cough, reducing swelling and relieving pain. It is used to treat cold, cough, headache, abdominal pain, diarrhea, hepatitis, rheumatism, hernia, irregular menstruation, injuries and swelling caused by falls, abscesses, and snake bites.
Processing Method: Remove impurities, wash with water, drain, moisten, cut into 0.6-1cm sections, air dry or oven dry, and sift to remove debris.
Collection and Processing: Dig the roots after autumn, remove the stems and leaves, wash them clean, and use them fresh or dry them; collect the whole herb in summer or autumn, remove the dirt, and use them fresh or dry them.
Habitat and Distribution: Geshanxiang grows wild on sunny slopes of shrubs or forest edges, and is distributed in Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hunan, and other places, mainly produced in Zhejiang and Guangxi.
Identification: The dried root of Geshanxiang is spindle-shaped or cylindrical, 9-15 cm long, and 0.8-1.5 cm in diameter. The outer surface is brown-yellow or dark yellow, with obvious longitudinal wrinkles and traces of lateral roots, and the upper end has residual leaf stalks. It is relatively hard, and the cross section is yellowish-white. It has a slightly fragrant smell and a slightly sweet and bitter taste.
【Effects and Functions of Geshanxiang】
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that Geshanxiang has the effects of dispersing wind and clearing heat, relieving phlegm and stopping cough, reducing swelling and relieving pain. It is mainly used to treat cold, cough, headache, abdominal pain, diarrhea, hepatitis, rheumatism, hernia, irregular menstruation, injuries and swelling caused by falls, abscesses, and snake bites.
1. "Guangxi Medicinal Plants": The whole plant: nourishes and strengthens the body, disperses wind and promotes qi circulation. It is used to treat pulmonary tuberculosis, stomach pain, heart pain, malaria, diarrhea, injuries, and amenorrhea.
2. "Common Chinese Herbal Medicine Manual" of Guangzhou Military Region: The root of Geshanxiang can activate blood circulation, dissipate stasis, promote qi circulation, relieve cough, and eliminate phlegm. It is used to treat angina, stomach pain, chronic cough, and snake bites.
3. "Jiangxi Herbal Medicine": The root of Geshanxiang can clear heat, detoxify, relieve cough, and stop bleeding. It is used to treat leukorrhea.
4. "Selected Chinese Herbal Medicine for Use in Guangxi Judicial Trials": The root of Geshanxiang can dispel wind, reduce swelling, activate blood circulation, dissipate stasis, and relieve pain. It is mainly used to treat stomach pain, hemoptysis, rheumatic joint pain, cold abscesses, chronic osteomyelitis, and abdominal pain.
【Pharmacological Effects of Geshanxiang】
1. Antitussive, expectorant, and anti-inflammatory effects
The distillate of Geshanxiang has a significant antitussive effect on guinea pigs induced by ammonia, and can promote the excretion of phenol red from the bronchi of mice, indicating a certain expectorant effect. Its inhibition rate on rat foot swelling and inflammation is similar to 0.25% dexamethasone.
2. Effects on smooth muscles
Crystalline isolongifolene (Ⅰ) extracted from Geshanxiang root with ethyl ether has spasmolytic effects on isolated rabbit intestine, guinea pig trachea, and rabbit aorta, and can also inhibit in situ intestinal peristalsis.
3. Antibacterial effects
In vitro antibacterial tests show that the distillate of Geshanxiang has certain inhibitory effects on Streptococcus types A and B, influenza bacillus, and pneumococcus.
