Asarum herb (Xixin)
Pharmaceutical
Name: Herba asari cum Radice.
Botanical
Name: 1. Asarum hetrotropoides
Fr. var. mandshuricum (Maxim.) Kitag. 2. A.
sieboldii Miq.
Common
Name: Asarum herb, Wild ginger.
Source
of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing.
Part
Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The entire plant is gathered
in summer and dried in the shade.
Properties
& Taste: Pungent and warm.
Meridians:
Lung and kidney.
Functions:
1. To dispel cold and stop pain; 2. To warm the lungs and resolve
phlegm-damp; 3. To relieve nasal congestion.
Indications
& Combinations:
1. Headache, toothache and obstruction pain:
a) wind-cold headacheAsarum herb (Xixin) is used with Chuanxiong rhizome
(Chuanxiong) in the formula Chuanxiong Cha Tiao San; b) wind-cold
toothacheAsarum herb (Xixin) is used with Dahurian angelica root (Baizhi); c)
toothache due to excessive heat in the stomachAsarum herb (Xixin) is used with
Gypsum (Shigao) and Scutellaria root (Huangqin); d) wind-cold-damp obstruction
syndrome (joint pain)Asarum herb (Xixin) is used with Notopterygium root
(Qianghuo), Ledebouriella root (Fangfeng) and Cinnamon twigs (Guizhi).
2. Wind-cold exterior syndromes manifested
as chills, fever, headache and general pain: Asarum herb (Xixin) is used
with Notopterygium root (Qianghuo) and Ledebouriella root (Fangfeng) in the
formula Jiuwei Qianghuo Tang.
3. Cold phlegm fluid attacking the lungs
manifested as asthma and cough with profuse, clear sputum: Asarum herb
(Xixin) is used with Ephedra (Mahuang) and Dried ginger (Ganjiang) in the
formula Xiao Qinglong Tang.
4. Rhinorrhea manifested as copiously
running nose, nasal congestion and headache: Asarum herb (Xixin) is used
with Angelica root (Baizhi), Magnolia flower (Xinyi) and Mentha (Bohe).
Dosage:
1-3 g.
Cautions
& Contraindications: This herb is contraindicated in headache due
to deficient yin and hyperactivity of yang, or cough caused by heat in the
lungs.
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