Shixi grass, also known as Feizhu grass, Feizhucai, Niancangzi, Nianhucai, Huanghua Zi, and Nianbuzha, refers to the dried aerial parts of the Chrysanthemum family plants Xilian, Xiange Xilian, or Maogen Xilian. It can be harvested before and during the flowering season in summer and autumn. It has the effects of dispelling wind and dampness, promoting joint mobility, and detoxification. It is mainly used for rheumatism, weakness in the bones and muscles, lumbago and weakness in the knees, paralysis of the limbs, hemiplegia, wind rashes, and damp sores.
【Characteristics】
Shixi grass stems are slightly square-cylindrical, with many branches, measuring 30-110cm in length and 0.3-1cm in diameter. The surface is gray-green, yellow-brown, or purple-brown, with longitudinal grooves and fine longitudinal lines, and covered with gray soft hairs. The nodes are distinct and slightly swollen. The texture is brittle and easy to break. The cross-section is yellow-white or green, with a wide marrow and a white, hollow core. The leaves are opposite, and the leaflets are wrinkled and curled, becoming oval-shaped when flattened. They are gray-green with dull serrated edges and white soft hairs on both sides. The main veins are 3-veined. Some can be seen with yellow head-like inflorescences and spoon-shaped bracts. It has a slight aroma and a slightly bitter taste.
【Processing Method】
Shixi grass: Remove impurities, wash, slightly moisten, cut into segments, and dry.
Jiu Shixi grass: Take Shixi grass segments and steam them thoroughly with rice wine. Use 20kg of rice wine for every 100kg of Shixi grass.
【Functions and Indications】
Dispels wind and dampness, promotes joint mobility, and detoxifies. It is used for rheumatism, weakness in the bones and muscles, lumbago and weakness in the knees, paralysis of the limbs, hemiplegia, wind rashes, and damp sores.
【Application in Prescriptions】
1. Treats beriberi and weak feet: Shixi grass (take red stems in May, dry in the shade, and mix with honey wine, steam nine times and sun-dry nine times) one jin, Angelica, Paeonia lactiflora, and cooked Rehmannia root each one liang, black Aconitum (processed with black beans) six qian, Qianghuo, and Fangfeng each one liang. Grind into powder and make pills with honey. Take two qian of pills on an empty stomach with warm wine. (Zhang's Medical Treatise on Xilian Pills)
2. Treats intestinal wind with bleeding: Xilian leaves are steamed with rice wine and made into pills with honey. Take three qian of pills with white broth. (Authentic Compilation of Prescriptions)
3. Hypertension: Shixi grass, Xiakucao, Sangjisheng each 15g, Chrysanthemum, Gentiana each 9g, decocted and taken orally.
4. Rheumatoid arthritis, lumbago, and leg pain: Shixi grass, Laoguancao each 12g, Jixueteng 15g, decocted and taken orally.
5. Malaria: Shixi grass can be used alone, 30-45g, decocted and taken orally.
6. Jaundice hepatitis, hemiplegia, scabies, etc. can be combined with other medicines for application.
7. Stroke: In summer, pick branches and leaves of Xilian, wash them, steam them nine times and sun-dry them nine times, but avoid excessive dryness. Grind into powder and make pills with honey. Each dose is two or thirty pills, taken on an empty stomach with warm wine and rice soup. After taking the pills, you should eat 3-5 tablespoons of pressed medicine. Take it continuously for several months to see results. This prescription is called "Xian Pill".
8. Wind-cold diarrhea: Grind Xian grass into powder, add vinegar and paste to make pills, like wuzi in size. Take thirty pills with plain water. This prescription is called "Huoxian Pill".
Shixi grass has the effects of dispersing wind and dampness, relieving rheumatic pain, and stopping pain. When used raw, it is slightly cold and good at resolving damp heat. It is particularly suitable for those with hot rheumatic pain. When used together with stinking wutong, it is called "Xitong Pill" in the Collection of Health Experience. When used alone to treat wind-cold dampness or stroke paralysis, it is called "Xilian Pill" in the Compilation of Effective Prescriptions for Living People.
