Xi Xian Cao (Siegesbeckia) (Authentic product, lower part of the stem is cylindrical, densely covered with grayish-white fine hairs, leaves are opposite)

Xi Xian Cao (Siegesbeckia) (Substitute Fang Feng Cao (Ledebouriella seseloides)) (Stem is square-shaped)

Xi Xian Cao (Siegesbeckia)

【Naming】

Xi Xian Cao (Siegesbeckia)

 【Source】

Xin Xiu Ben Cao (Newly Revised Materia Medica)

 【Frequency of Use】

C

 【Botanical Origin】

The dried aerial parts of Siegesbeckia pubescens Mak., family Compositae.

 【Characteristics】

The dried aerial stems and branches are 30~110㎝ long, often folded into bundles of 3~4 segments. The lower part of the stem is cylindrical, slightly flattened, with edges and corners, grayish-brown on the surface, with obvious longitudinal wrinkles, densely covered with grayish-white fine hairs. The leaves are opposite, mostly shrunken and broken, with varying shapes. The upper surface is dark green to greenish-brown, the lower surface is grayish-green, densely covered with grayish-white fine hairs. The petioles are long, mostly twisted. It has a slightly fragrant odor and a slightly bitter taste.
Processed product: It consists of chopped stems and leaves. The stems are round or flat-round, 0.8~l0㎝ in diameter, approximately 3~6㎜ thick. The cross-section is grayish-white, with a hollow medulla. The leaves are in fragmented form, dark green.

 【Identification】

“Ben Cao Bei Yao (Essentials of Materia Medica)”: “It is especially good when harvested on the 5th day of the 5th month, the 6th day of the 6th month, the 7th day of the 7th month, the 8th day of the 8th month, and the 9th day of the 9th month.”
The superior quality has a dry body, a bluish color, a square stem, white hairs, flat leaves, grayish flowers, no roots, and no mud. The inferior quality is too old, flowering, with a red stem and small leaves. Those with small fruit, round leaves, and no white hairs are not used medicinally.

 【Category】

Whole Herb