Xiyi Herb is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb that is used for pain relief. It has the functions of dispelling wind and dampness, promoting joint health, and detoxification. There are two methods for cultivating Xiyi Herb: direct sowing and seedling transplanting. Direct sowing is done after the vernal equinox, with a seeding rate of about 11.25 kilograms per hectare. Seedlings are ready by early summer. To maximize land utilization, seedling transplanting is commonly used.
1. Seedling Cultivation
Generally, Xiyi Herb is sown in open fields from the beginning of the rainy season to the spring equinox. The seedbed should be made into a raised bed, and the soil should be finely prepared. After sowing the seeds, the bed surface is lightly pressed with the foot to ensure good contact between the seeds and the soil. Then, a thin layer of loose organic fertilizer is spread on the bed surface to prevent soil compaction and facilitate seed germination.
Another method is to lightly rake the bed surface after sowing the seeds to mix the seeds with the soil, then sprinkle water and cover the bed with a plastic film to promote faster germination.
To ensure robust seedlings, the seeding density should be sparse rather than dense. When the seedlings reach a height of 1 centimeter and have 4 true leaves, they can be watered with a very dilute liquid manure to promote their growth.
2. Transplanting
Transplanting is usually done from May 15th to 25th. If the seeds were sown in late March for seedling cultivation, they can be transplanted after two months. The general planting density is a row spacing of 30 centimeters and a plant spacing of 25 centimeters. However, the transplanting time and soil fertility may vary, so the density can be flexibly adjusted within the range of 8-12 centimeters for row spacing and 6-10 centimeters for plant spacing.
Xiyi Herb should be planted sparsely to encourage more branching and leaf growth, which improves the quality of the herb. If planted too densely, there will be fewer branches and leaves, and the leaves below the plant's middle section will fall off, resulting in a higher stem-to-leaf ratio. Therefore, from a medicinal perspective, it is better to plant sparsely. When transplanting, it is recommended to use seedlings that are 3-4 centimeters tall and have 4 or 5 nodes on the stem.
The seedlings should be transplanted immediately after being uprooted. It is even better to transplant on a cloudy day or transplant them with the soil attached to the roots. After transplantation, the roots should be stabilized by watering with a diluted liquid manure. If the soil is dry or the temperature is high, another watering should be done to ensure the survival of the transplanted seedlings.
3. Application
1. Dispelling wind and dampness, promoting blood circulation and alleviating pain:
- Used for rheumatoid arthritis, Xiyi Herb has the functions of dispelling wind and dampness, promoting blood circulation, and relieving joint pain. It is often used in combination with other herbs such as Angelica sinensis, Acanthopanax bark, and Polygonum cuspidatum. It can also be used alone by grinding it into powder and then steaming it with wine to make honey pills.
- Used for post-stroke sequelae, hemiplegia, and numbness of limbs, Xiyi Herb can promote blood circulation and regulate Qi and blood. It is often used in combination with Astragalus, Angelica sinensis, and Rhizoma Draconis.
2. Clearing dampness and heat, relieving itching:
- Used for skin rashes and damp sores, Xiyi Herb can be used in combination with Cortex Phellodendri, Mosla chinensis, and other herbs.
3. Treating malaria:
- Xiyi Herb can be used to treat malaria. It is usually decocted in water and taken in two doses.
4. Combination with Cortex Erythrinae:
- Cortex Erythrinae has the functions of dispelling wind and dampness, promoting blood circulation, relieving pain, and mainly targets the upper body. Xiyi Herb has the functions of dispelling wind and dampness, promoting blood circulation, detoxifying, and lowering blood pressure. The combination of these two herbs can effectively dispel wind and dampness, promote blood circulation, lower blood pressure, and is used for rheumatoid arthritis, poor joint mobility, bone and joint pain, numbness of limbs, hemiplegia, or sequelae of infantile paralysis.
5. Combination with Clematis:
- Both herbs are effective in dispelling wind, dampness, and relieving pain. Xiyi Herb is good at promoting joint health, while Clematis is good at promoting blood circulation. The combination of these two herbs enhances their effectiveness and is used for rheumatism, joint pain, numbness of limbs, etc.
