According to traditional Chinese medicine, Xishaicao is believed to have the effects of dispelling wind and dampness, promoting joint mobility, and detoxification. It is used for rheumatic pain, weakness in the tendons and bones, soreness and weakness in the waist and knees, paralysis of the limbs, hemiplegia, and wind rash and damp sores. Let's now learn about the characteristics of Xishaicao and the precautions for taking it.
Characteristics of Xishaicao
The stems of this herb are slightly square-shaped, with many branches and a length of 30-110cm and a diameter of 0.3-1cm. The surface is gray-green, yellow-brown, or purple-brown, with longitudinal grooves and fine longitudinal lines, covered in gray soft hairs. The joints are distinct and slightly swollen. The texture is brittle and easily breaks, with a yellow-white or greenish color on the cross-section. The marrow is wide and white, and the stem is hollow. The leaves are opposite, often wrinkled and curled, and when flattened, they are oval-shaped and gray-green, with blunt serrations on the edges and white soft hairs on both sides. The main veins are 3-branched. Some specimens may have yellowish head-shaped inflorescences with spathulate bracts. It has a mild aroma and a slightly bitter taste.
Precautions for Taking Xishaicao
Suitable for consumption: Xishaicao is suitable for people with rheumatic pain, weak tendons and bones, weakness in the waist and knees, stroke, facial paralysis, hemiplegia, wind rash and damp sores, insect and animal bites, malaria, and jaundice. It is especially suitable for patients with rheumatic pain caused by damp heat.
Not suitable for consumption: People without rheumatism should be cautious when taking it.
Expert advice: Xishaicao is suitable for raw use for clearing heat and detoxifying, and for processed use for dispelling wind and dampness and promoting blood circulation. When storing, it is best to keep it in a well-ventilated and dry place to avoid mold growth and affecting its efficacy.
Applications of Xishaicao
1. Dispelling wind and dampness, promoting blood circulation
① Used for rheumatic pain, namely rheumatoid arthritis. Xishaicao has the effects of dispelling wind and dampness, promoting blood circulation, and promoting joint mobility. It is often used in combination with Danggui, Wujia Pi, Haifengteng, etc. It can also be ground into powder, steamed in wine, and then made into honey pills for consumption.
② Used for sequelae of stroke, hemiplegia, and numbness in the limbs. Xishaicao is used to promote blood circulation and regulate Qi and blood, often in combination with Huangqi, Danggui, Dilong, etc.
2. Relieving damp heat and itching: Used for skin wind rash and damp sores, it can be used in combination with Baixianpi, Cangerzi, etc.
3. Treating malaria: Used for malaria, take 30g of Xishaicao, decoct in water and take it twice.
4. Combination with Haitongpi: Haitongpi is bitter and pungent, enters the blood division, dispels wind and dampness, promotes blood circulation, and relieves pain. Xishaicao dispels wind and dampness, promotes blood circulation, detoxifies, and lowers blood pressure. When these two herbs are combined, they have the functions of dispelling wind and dampness, promoting blood circulation, reducing blood pressure. They are used for rheumatic pain, weakness in the tendons and bones, joint pain, numbness in the limbs, hemiplegia, or sequelae of paralysis in children.
5. Combination with Weilingxian: Both herbs can dispel wind, dampness, and relieve pain. Xishaicao is good at promoting tendon and bone health, while Weilingxian is good at promoting blood circulation. When these two herbs are used together, their effectiveness is enhanced. They are used for rheumatic pain in tendons and bones, numbness in the limbs, etc.
