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Hemerocallis, Xuan Cao 萱草

Day Lily
Lilium Agreste
Xuan Cao (TCM)
Picture
Hemerocallis
New Kreüterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563

Picture
Two varieties of Hemerocallis
(Herbarium, Matthioli (Polish), 1596)

Picture
Bonelli, G., Hortus Romanus juxta Systema Tournefortianum (1772-1793)

Picture
Hemerocallis fulva
(Photo b y George Chernilevsky) (Wikimedia)

Botanical name:
Hemerocallis spp.
  1. H. fulva
  2. H. minor
  3. 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.

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:

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