Geshanxiang, also known as Rhizoma Ligustici, is a perennial herbaceous plant with the effects of dispersing wind and clearing heat, resolving phlegm and stopping cough, and reducing swelling and alleviating pain. It is mainly distributed in rural mountains south of the Yangtze River in China, and the fruiting period is in September and October. Now let's learn about the botanical characteristics of Geshanxiang.
Geshanxiang is commonly found on mountain slopes, under shrubs, at the edge of forests, and in grassy areas. It flowers from June to August, and if you go to the mountains during this time, you may be able to smell its fragrance. September to October is its fruiting period.
The dried root of Geshanxiang is spindle-shaped or cylindrical, 9 to 15 centimeters long and 0.8 to 1.5 centimeters in diameter. The outer appearance is brownish-yellow or dark yellow, with obvious longitudinal wrinkles and root traces. The upper end retains residual leaf stems. The texture is relatively hard, and the cross-section is yellowish-white. It has a faint fragrance and a slightly sweet and bitter taste.
According to "Zhonghua Bencao" (Compendium of Materia Medica), the root of Geshanxiang can be used as medicine, with the effects of promoting qi circulation, relieving pain, promoting blood circulation, dispersing blood stasis, and eliminating dampness and toxins. It can be used for various symptoms such as stomach pain, abdominal pain, angina pectoris, headache, rheumatism, trauma, hernia pain, bronchitis, ascites in liver cirrhosis, amenorrhea, amoebic dysentery, parotitis, and snake bites.
1. "Guangxi Medicinal Plant Directory": "The whole plant is nourishing and strengthening, promoting qi circulation. It is used to treat tuberculosis, stomach pain, angina pectoris, malaria, dysentery, trauma, and amenorrhea."
2. "Common Chinese Herbal Medicine Handbook of Guangzhou Troops": "The root promotes blood circulation, disperses blood stasis, promotes qi circulation, relieves pain, and stops cough and phlegm. It is used to treat angina pectoris, stomach pain, chronic cough, and snake bites."
3. "Jiangxi Herbal Medicine": "The root clears heat, detoxifies, stops coughing, and stops bleeding. It is used to treat abnormal vaginal discharge."
4. "Commonly Used Herbal Medicine in Zhejiang Folk": "The root induces sweating and reduces fever."
5. "Practical Selection of Chinese Herbal Medicine in Guangxi": "The root dispels wind, reduces swelling, promotes blood circulation, disperses blood stasis, and alleviates pain. It is mainly used to treat stomach pain, hemoptysis, rheumatic joint pain, cold abscess, chronic osteomyelitis, and abdominal pain."
