Geshan Xiang, also known as Valeriana jatamansi, is a perennial herb commonly found on slopes, under shrubs, along forest edges, and in grassy areas. It blooms from June to August, and if you visit the mountains during this time, you may be able to smell its fragrance. Its fruiting period is from September to October. Geshan Xiang has the effects of dispersing wind, clearing heat, resolving phlegm, stopping cough, reducing swelling, and relieving pain.
Geshan Xiang picture
The dried roots of Geshan Xiang are spindle-shaped or cylindrical, measuring 9 to 15 centimeters long and 0.8 to 1.5 centimeters in diameter. They have a brownish-yellow or dark yellow appearance with obvious longitudinal wrinkles and root scars, and the upper end retains residual leaf stem bases. The texture is relatively hard, and the cross-section is yellowish-white. It has a slight fragrance and a slightly bitter taste.
Geshan Xiang is mainly distributed in rural mountains south of the Yangtze River in China. Its fruiting period is in September and October. Now let's learn about the botanical characteristics of Geshan Xiang. According to "Compendium of Materia Medica," the root of Geshan Xiang can be used as medicine and has the effects of promoting qi circulation, relieving pain, promoting blood circulation, resolving blood stasis, promoting diuresis, and detoxification. It can be used for various symptoms such as stomach pain, abdominal pain, angina pectoris, headache, rheumatism, bruises, hernia pain, bronchitis, ascites in liver cirrhosis, amenorrhea, amoebic dysentery, parotitis, and snake bites.
1. "Guangxi Medicinal Plant Directory": "Whole plant: nourishes and strengthens the body, promotes qi circulation. Used for treating tuberculosis, abdominal pain, angina pectoris, malaria, dysentery, bruises, and amenorrhea."
2. "Common Chinese Herbal Medicine Manual of Guangzhou Troops": "Roots promote blood circulation, resolve blood stasis, promote qi circulation, and relieve cough and phlegm. Used for treating angina pectoris, stomach pain, chronic cough, and snake bites."
3. "Jiangxi Herbal Medicine": "Roots: clear heat, detoxify, stop coughing, and stop bleeding. Used for treating leukorrhea."
4. "Zhejiang Folk Commonly Used Herbal Medicine": "Roots: induce sweating and reduce fever."
5. "Selected Practical Chinese Herbal Medicine in Guangxi": "Roots: dispel wind, reduce swelling, promote blood circulation, resolve blood stasis, and relieve pain. Mainly used for treating stomach pain, hemoptysis, rheumatoid arthritis, cold abscess, and chronic osteomyelitis."
