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Hemerocallis, Xuan Cao 萱草
Day Lily
Lilium Agreste
Xuan Cao (TCM)
Lilium Agreste
Xuan Cao (TCM)
New Kreüterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563
Two varieties of Hemerocallis
(Herbarium, Matthioli (Polish), 1596)
(Herbarium, Matthioli (Polish), 1596)
Bonelli, G., Hortus Romanus juxta Systema Tournefortianum (1772-1793)
Botanical name:
Hemerocallis spp.
Parts used:
Root and Rhizome
Temperature & Taste:
Cool, dry.
Hemerocallis spp.
- H. fulva
- H. minor
- H. lilio-asphodelus
Parts used:
Root and Rhizome
Temperature & Taste:
Cool, dry.
Uses:
1. Clears Heat and Toxin, Resolves Swelling:
-Scrofula, Lymphatic Swelling
-Mastitis, Breast Abscess (internally and topically)
2. Clears Heat and Damp:
-Edema, Strangury, Dysuria
-Urinary Stones
-Leukorrhea
-Jaundice
3. Calms the Mind:
-Nervousness, Anxiety, Insomnia
-traditionally to 'forget Melancholy'
-flower always has this effect
4. Cool the Blood, Stops Bleeding:
-Epistaxis, Hemoptysis
-Excess Menstrual Bleeding and Spotting
5. Kills Worms and Parasites:
-Schistosomiasis
6. Externally:
-Toothache
-Toxic Sores and Swellings
-applied to swollen breast (leaf or root paste) (since Dioscorides)
-Inflammation of the eyes
-Burns and Scalds (Dioscorides)
-as a pessary to promote menstruation
DOSE:
The root juice was traditionally pressed with wine and the liquid taken
Decoction: 3–9 grams
Powder: 1–3 grams
The root or leaf can be crushed for topical application.
SUBSTITUTE:
1. 'Virtues ... are said to be the same with our common Asphodel'. (Salmon)
2. Of the Flower: 'Their medicinal effects are understood to be the same as those of the Lilium candidum'. (Porter Smith, 1871)
COMMENT:
1. The flowers are eaten as food and used in teas in China. Medicinally, the flowers have similar effects, though milder.
2. Wearing the flower during pregnancy was said to produce a male child in China.
The root juice was traditionally pressed with wine and the liquid taken
Decoction: 3–9 grams
Powder: 1–3 grams
The root or leaf can be crushed for topical application.
SUBSTITUTE:
1. 'Virtues ... are said to be the same with our common Asphodel'. (Salmon)
2. Of the Flower: 'Their medicinal effects are understood to be the same as those of the Lilium candidum'. (Porter Smith, 1871)
COMMENT:
1. The flowers are eaten as food and used in teas in China. Medicinally, the flowers have similar effects, though milder.
2. Wearing the flower during pregnancy was said to produce a male child in China.
Main Combinations:
1. Epistaxis, mix the root juice with half part of Ginger juice and sip the juice. (Ben Cao Gang Mu)
2. Breast Swelling and Tumor: root and leaf are beaten to a paste and applied (TCM, West)
3. To promote menstruation, form a pessary with the root, honey and wool, and insert. (Salmon)
Major Formulas:
Cautions:
1. Avoid overdose
TOXICITY:
1. Contains the neurotoxin Hemerocallin.
2. Large doses are hallucinogenic
Main Preparations used:
1. Avoid overdose
TOXICITY:
1. Contains the neurotoxin Hemerocallin.
2. Large doses are hallucinogenic
Main Preparations used: