Lithospermum, Gromwell, Zi Cao 紫草
Milium Solis, Grommel
Zi Cao (TCM)
Zi Cao (TCM)
Milium solis
Herbarius latinus, Petri, 1485
Herbarius latinus, Petri, 1485
Greater and Lesser Gromwell
Dioscorides Materia Medica, Mathias, 1563
Dioscorides Materia Medica, Mathias, 1563
Greater and Lesser Gromwell
Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578
Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578
Lithospermum officinale
Oeder, G.C., Flora Danica (1761-1861)
Oeder, G.C., Flora Danica (1761-1861)
Botanical name:
Lithospermum spp.
1. L. officinale
2. L. erythrorhizon (syn. Lithospermum officinale L. subsp. erythrorhizon) (TCM)
Parts used:
West: Seed; less commonly the leaf or root
TCM: Root
Temperature & Taste:
Cool (TCM) / Mildly Warm (West), dry. Sweet
Classification:
B. Clears Heat, Cools the Blood
Lithospermum spp.
1. L. officinale
2. L. erythrorhizon (syn. Lithospermum officinale L. subsp. erythrorhizon) (TCM)
Parts used:
West: Seed; less commonly the leaf or root
TCM: Root
Temperature & Taste:
Cool (TCM) / Mildly Warm (West), dry. Sweet
Classification:
B. Clears Heat, Cools the Blood
Uses:
1. Clears Damp, Promotes Urine, Clears Stones: (West, TCM)
-Edema, Dysuria, Strangury
2. Clears Heat, Resists Poison, Promotes Expression of Rashes: (West, TCM)
-Fever (West)
3. Moves the Blood, Promotes Menstruation: (West)
-Amenorrhea
4. Clears Heat, Calms the Mind:
-more recently, Insomnia, Nervousness (Duke)
Dose:
Root or Seed in Powder: 1–3 grams;
Comment:
... available in PRO version
Substitute:
Arnebia euchroma and A. guttata are used for Zi Cao in some parts of China.
Root or Seed in Powder: 1–3 grams;
Comment:
... available in PRO version
Substitute:
Arnebia euchroma and A. guttata are used for Zi Cao in some parts of China.
Main Combinations:
1. To promote Urine, and for Stones, Gromwell seed with ... available in PRO version
2. Arthritis and Rheumatism:
i. Gromwell seed with ... available in PRO version
3. Back Pain, Arthritis
i. Gromwell seed with ... available in PRO version
4. Measles, Skin rashes:'
i. to promote eruption of Skin Rashes, Lithospermum Zi Cao with ... available in PRO version
ii. Lithospermum Zi Cao with ... available in PRO version
5. Hepatitis, Lithospermum Zi Cao, ... available in PRO version
6. Gonorrhea, Gromwell seed (3 drams), ... available in PRO version
7. Neurodermatitis, cover Lithospermum Zi Cao with ... available in PRO version
8. Burns, Lithospermum Zi Cao, ... available in PRO version
Cautions:
1. Avoid overdose or long–term use. Contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids.
2. Not used in those with loose stool (TCM)
3. Has an anti-fertility effect.
Toxicity:
1. Single- and Repeat-dose Oral Toxicity Studies of Lithospermum erythrorhizon Extract in Dogs
2. Acute and 28-Day Subacute Toxicity Studies of Hexane Extracts of the Roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon in Sprague-Dawley Rats
3. Metabolic Toxification of 1,2-Unsaturated Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids Causes Human Hepatic Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome: The Update
Main Preparations used:
Distilled Water of the Leaves
1. Avoid overdose or long–term use. Contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids.
2. Not used in those with loose stool (TCM)
3. Has an anti-fertility effect.
Toxicity:
1. Single- and Repeat-dose Oral Toxicity Studies of Lithospermum erythrorhizon Extract in Dogs
2. Acute and 28-Day Subacute Toxicity Studies of Hexane Extracts of the Roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon in Sprague-Dawley Rats
3. Metabolic Toxification of 1,2-Unsaturated Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids Causes Human Hepatic Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome: The Update
Main Preparations used:
Distilled Water of the Leaves
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