Medicines have their benefits and drawbacks, and traditional Chinese medicine is no exception. Xi Xiacao, a member of the Asteraceae family, is a dried aerial part of the plants Xi Xiacao, Xian Geng Xi Xiacao, or Mao Geng Xi Xiacao. It is mainly used for diseases such as rheumatism, lumbar and knee soreness, and has the effects of dispelling wind, promoting blood circulation, and detoxification. What are the precautions for taking Xi Xiacao?
【Characteristics of Xi Xiacao】
The stems of this herb are slightly square-shaped, usually branched, 30-110cm long, and 0.3-1cm in diameter. The surface is gray-green, yellow-brown, or purple-brown, with longitudinal grooves and fine longitudinal lines, covered with gray soft hairs. The nodes are obvious and slightly swollen. The texture is brittle and easily broken, with a yellow-white or greenish cross-section. The pith is wide and white, hollow. The leaves are opposite, wrinkled and curled, flattened and ovoid after unfolding, gray-green in color, with blunt serrations on the edges, and white hairs on both sides. The main veins are 3-veined. Some may have yellow head-shaped inflorescences with spatulate involucral bracts. The smell is slight and the taste is slightly bitter.
【Application in Traditional Formulas】
1. Treatment of weak legs caused by rheumatism: Xi Xiacao (the stems are collected in May, dried in the shade, and the leaves are cleaned and soaked in honey wine, steamed and dried 9 times) 1 jin, Angelica, Peony, Rehmannia each 1 liang, Sichuan Lovage, Saposhnikovia divaricata each 1 liang, ground into powder and made into honey pills. Take 2 qian per dose on an empty stomach with warm wine. (Zhang's Medical Classics "Xi Xian Wan")
2. Treatment of intestinal wind and bloody stools: Xi Xiancao leaves are steamed with wine, refined into honey pills. Take 3 qian per dose with white soup. ("The Authentic Collection of Formulas and Pulsology")
3. Hypertension: Xi Xiacao, Xiakucao, Sangjisheng each 15g, Chrysanthemum, Gentiana each 9g, decocted and taken orally.
4. Rheumatoid arthritis, lumbago and leg pain: Xi Xiacao, Laoguancao each 12g, Jixueteng 15g, decocted and taken orally.
5. Malaria: Xi Xiacao can be used alone, 30-45g, decocted and taken orally.
6. Hepatitis, hemiplegia, scabies, etc. can be used in combination with other herbs.
7. Stroke: In summer, pick Xi Xian branches and leaves, wash them, steam them 9 times, but avoid excessive dryness. Grind them into powder and mix with honey to make pills, about the size of a wu zi (a type of fruit). Take 20-30 pills per dose on an empty stomach, swallow with warm wine and rice soup. After taking the pills, eat 3-5 spoonfuls of food to press down the medicine. Take it continuously for several months to see results. This formula is called "Xian Wan".
8. Wind-cold diarrhea: Grind Xi Xiancao into powder, mix with vinegar and paste to make pills, about the size of a wu zi. Take 30 pills per dose, swallow with plain water. This formula is called "Huo Xian Wan".
Xi Xiancao has the effect of dispelling wind, relieving pain, and promoting blood circulation in the tendons and joints. When used raw, it is slightly cold and good at resolving dampness and heat. It is especially suitable for patients with rheumatism and pain caused by damp-heat. When used in combination with Stinking Sumac, it is called "Xi Tong Wan" in the "Compilation of Health Experience". When used alone to treat wind-cold-damp bi syndrome or stroke paralysis, it is called "Xi Xian Wan" in the "Compilation of Effective Formulas for Living People".
【Precautions】
Suitable for: Xi Xiancao is suitable for people with rheumatism, weak tendons and bones, weak waist and knees, stroke, facial and eye deviation, hemiplegia, wind rash, wet sores, insect and animal bites, malaria, jaundice, and other conditions. It is especially suitable for patients with rheumatism and pain caused by damp-heat.
Not suitable for: Those without rheumatism should use caution.
Expert advice: Xi Xiancao is suitable for raw use to clear heat and detoxify, and for processed use to dispel wind, promote blood circulation, and regulate meridians. When storing, it is best to keep it in a well-ventilated and dry place to avoid mold affecting its efficacy.
