Curculigo, Xian Mao 仙茅
Xian Mao (TCM)
Talpatri, Krishna Musali, Sveta Musali ('Black Musali') (Ayurveda)
Musali Siyah (Unani)
Nilappanan Kizhangu (Siddha)
Talpatri, Krishna Musali, Sveta Musali ('Black Musali') (Ayurveda)
Musali Siyah (Unani)
Nilappanan Kizhangu (Siddha)
Kerner, Hortus sempervirens, 1806
Botanical name:
Curculigo orchioides
Parts used:
Rhizome
Temperature & Taste:
Hot, dry. Pungent, Slightly Toxic
Classifications:
3J. INCREASE SEMEN
N. Tonics
Curculigo orchioides
Parts used:
Rhizome
Temperature & Taste:
Hot, dry. Pungent, Slightly Toxic
Classifications:
3J. INCREASE SEMEN
N. Tonics
Uses:
1. Strengthens the Kidneys, Tonifies the Yang:
-Impotence, Incontinence, nocturnal emission; used for sexual debility in both Ayurveda and TCM.
-irregular menstruation from Cold
-Infertility in men and women from Cold Kidneys / Yang deficiency
-water retention from Cold and weak Kidneys
-auxilliary medicine in Diabetes (Ayurveda)
-Debility; Senility; restorative tonic in Ayurveda
-'prolongs intercourse' (Da Ming)
-long-term use makes a person happy and maintains a good complexion. (Li Xun)
-treats Five Overstrains and Seven Damages... fills the Marrow. (Li Xun)
2. Clears Cold and Damp, Strengthens Bones, Eases Pain:
-cold obstruction with pain, weakness of the joints
-Arthritis
-Osteoporosis
-Weakness and pain of the lower back and legs
-Poor appetite and indigestion from abdominal cold.
3. Clears Cold Phlegm, Stops Wheezing:
-In Ayurveda for Cold-type Asthma and Breathlessness
DOSE:
In Decoction: 3–9 grams (up to a maximum of 12 grams daily);
Powder: 2–6 grams. Taken with milk in Ayurveda to correct its heat.
COMMENT:
Li Shi Zhen said 'It nourishes the muscles as it is sweet, It nourishes the Joints as it is pungent. It nourishes the Qi as it is bitter, It nourishes the Bones as it is salty, It nourishes the Skin as it is slippery. It nourishes the Tendons as it is sour.
PREPARATION:
Any of these methods may be used to reduce toxicity:
1. Wine-prepared Curculigo Xian Mao:
In TCM, the roots are often mixed with Rice wine, allowed to soak up the alcohol, then stir-fried or baked until dry. This moderates the harsh nature while increasing the ability to tonify Yang.
2. Black Soybean prepared Curculigo Xian Mao:
Wash the root, then peel the rind and cut into pieces as big as a bean. Tie up in a cloth and soak in decoction of Black Soybean overnight. Then remove, mix with wine and steam. Remove and dry in the sun. (Lei Xiao)
3. Rice-prepared Curculigo Xian Mao:
Soak the drug in water in which glutinous rice has been washed. Then remove and dry.
CORRECTIVE:
1. Asparagus adscendens root both corrects and enhances Curculigo Xian Mao. The former supports Yin and hinders the excess heat of the latter. It supplies a good Yin base for the Yang tonic activity of Curculigo Xian Mao.
2. Blended with vinegar enhances its efficacy. (Li Shi Zhen)
In Decoction: 3–9 grams (up to a maximum of 12 grams daily);
Powder: 2–6 grams. Taken with milk in Ayurveda to correct its heat.
COMMENT:
Li Shi Zhen said 'It nourishes the muscles as it is sweet, It nourishes the Joints as it is pungent. It nourishes the Qi as it is bitter, It nourishes the Bones as it is salty, It nourishes the Skin as it is slippery. It nourishes the Tendons as it is sour.
PREPARATION:
Any of these methods may be used to reduce toxicity:
1. Wine-prepared Curculigo Xian Mao:
In TCM, the roots are often mixed with Rice wine, allowed to soak up the alcohol, then stir-fried or baked until dry. This moderates the harsh nature while increasing the ability to tonify Yang.
2. Black Soybean prepared Curculigo Xian Mao:
Wash the root, then peel the rind and cut into pieces as big as a bean. Tie up in a cloth and soak in decoction of Black Soybean overnight. Then remove, mix with wine and steam. Remove and dry in the sun. (Lei Xiao)
3. Rice-prepared Curculigo Xian Mao:
Soak the drug in water in which glutinous rice has been washed. Then remove and dry.
CORRECTIVE:
1. Asparagus adscendens root both corrects and enhances Curculigo Xian Mao. The former supports Yin and hinders the excess heat of the latter. It supplies a good Yin base for the Yang tonic activity of Curculigo Xian Mao.
2. Blended with vinegar enhances its efficacy. (Li Shi Zhen)
Main Combinations:
Curculigo Xian Mao is often combined with Asparagus adscendens root (White Musali) in India. These are known as Black and White Musali, Asparagus nourishing Yin, and Curculigo stimulating Yang. Sometimes Chlorophytum arundinaceum is listed as Black Musali.
1. Impotence, Spermatorrhea, Lower Back pain and weakness, Curculigo Xian Mao with Eucommia Du Zhong, Rehmannia Shu Di Huang
2. Impotence, Aphrodisiac:
i. Curculigo Xian Mao with Epimedium Yin Yang Huo.
ii. Curculigo Xian Mao with Asparagus racemosa, Withania, Mucuna
iii. Curculigo Xian Mao with Hygrophila, Tribulus, Mucuna, Chlorophytum
iv. Curculigo Xian Mao with Echinops, Tribulus, Withania
3. Female Debility:
i. Curculigo Xian Mao with Tribulus, Mucuna, Tinospora
ii. Curculigo Xian Mao with Dang Gui, Asparagus root
4. Cold-damp pain, cold pain in the lower back and legs, Curculigo Xian Mao with Asarum Xi Xin and Acanthopanax Wu Jia Pi.
5. Lower Back Pain from Kidney deficiency, Curculigo Xian Mao with Eucommia Du Zhong
6. To warm and strengthen the Yang:
i. Curculigo Xian Mao with Stalactite, Sulphur
ii. Curculigo Xian Mao with Velvet Deer Horn (Lu Rong), Cinnamon
7. For the Five Overstrains and Seven Damages, to improve Eyesight and increase strength: collect Curculigo Xian Mao, remove the black skin, cut into pieces, and saok in rice rinse water for 2 days. Remove, dry, powder and make Honey pills teh size of parasol seeds. Take 20 pills every morning with wine. Do not prepare with Iron equipment, and avoid milk and beef while taking. (Su Song)
Cautions:
1. Not used for Heat from Yin deficiency or those with Fire (strong Heat).
2. Avoid long-term use and overdose. Maximum daily dose in decoction is 12 grams
ANTIDOTE:
Rhubarb (Da Huang) and Mirabilite (Mang Xiao) have been used for negative effects of overdose.
Main Preparations used:
1. Not used for Heat from Yin deficiency or those with Fire (strong Heat).
2. Avoid long-term use and overdose. Maximum daily dose in decoction is 12 grams
ANTIDOTE:
Rhubarb (Da Huang) and Mirabilite (Mang Xiao) have been used for negative effects of overdose.
Main Preparations used:
Research