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Hemerocallis, Xuan Cao 萱草
Day Lily
Lilium Agreste
Xuan Cao (TCM)
Lilium Agreste
Xuan Cao (TCM)
Hemerocallis
New Kreüterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563 |
Two varieties of Hemerocallis
(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: