xi xin

细辛·Herba Asari

Asarum

Slightly toxic · Contains aristolochic acid

Toxicity graded by American Dragon.

About xi xin

Xi Xin (细辛) is the root and rhizome of asarum, Manchurian wild ginger, recorded as Radix et Rhizoma Asari. It is acrid in flavour and warm in temperature, entering the Lung, Heart and Kidney channels. The catalogue files it among the acrid, warm herbs that release the Exterior.

Names

Pinyinxi xin
Chinese细辛
Latin NameHerba Asari·Radix et Rhizoma Asari
English NameAsarum·Manchurian wild ginger·Manchurian wild ginger; asarum
Japanesesaishin
Koreansesin

Classification

Channels
Lung, Heart, Kidney
Flavour
Acrid
Temperature
Warm
Part used
Root
Family
Aristolochiaceae
Species
asarum heterotripoides
Tags
Chinese Herbs, Common

Actions and indications

Releases the Exterior and disperses Wind-Cold

  • Exterior Wind-Cold as a supporting herb, especially with Damp in the Lungs, internal Cold-Damp or underlying Kidney Yang deficiency
  • Wind-Cold where aching of the head and body dominates

Disperses Wind-Cold and internal Cold and relieves pain

  • Pain from Wind or Cold in any part of the body, notably headache, Bi and abdominal pain
  • Headache when Cold obstructs Fluids and Blood, often without sweating
  • Bi pain from Wind, Cold and Damp
  • Cold-type body aches

Warms the Lungs and transforms Phlegm and thin fluids

  • Rebellious Qi with a full chest and incessant coughing of copious, watery phlegm
  • Qi knotted in the chest and diaphragm, with retained fluids from Wind-Cold or Phlegm-Damp
  • Wheezing with copious clear phlegm

Warms the channels and dispels Cold from the vessels

  • Numbness and pain of the limbs from Cold
  • Cold-type abdominal accumulation, combined with purgatives

Opens the nasal passages and clears the orifices of the head

  • Nasal congestion
  • Disorders of the mouth
  • Loss of consciousness

Promotes healing of mouth ulcers

  • Sores or ulcers of the mouth

Relieves toothache

  • Toothache

Combinations

Dosage

AgeRawGranuleTinctureConcentrateFrequency
Any 0.5-5g; Tincture: 0.5-2ml0.5-5 g0.5-2 ml

Cautions

Interactions

Antagonistic with

Drug interactions