Xi Xian Cao - 稀薟草 - Herba Siegesbeckiae

Pharmaceutical Latin:	Herba Siegesbeckiae
Common English:	Hairy Siegesbeckia Siegesbeckia St. Paul's Wort

Properties

Taste	Temperature	Entering Meridians	Dosage
Bitter (Acrid)	Cold (Slightly Cold)	Kidney Liver (Heart) (Spleen)	9-25g Malaria: 45g Tincture: 1-4ml 9-15g (Secondary source)

Actions	Indications/Syndromes
Dispels Wind-Dampness, strengthens the sinews and unblocks the channels and collaterals	Wind-Damp Bi with joint pain Because it is good at unblocking the channels and invigorating the collaterals it is commonly used for spasms, numbness and cramps in the extremities and weak legs, including weakness as a sequela of Wind-stroke with numbness and weakness of the back and legs, facial paralysis and hemiplegia
Clears Heat and pacifies the Liver	Liver Yang Rising with headache, dizziness
Clears and transforms Damp-Heat and eliminates toxins	Damp-Heat sores and itching, Wind-Damp rashes and other forms of itching
Treats hypertension	Hypertension
Calms the Spirit	Irritability, insomnia, tinnitus, vertigo and forgetfulness

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Contraindicated for those with numbness or Bi Syndrome due to Yin or Blood Deficiency.
Contraindicated for those with numbness or Bi Syndrome due to Spleen and Kidney Deficiency.
Use extreme caution for pregnant women and children.

INCOMPATIBILITIES

HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

Rx. Clematidis Wei Ling Xian	Spica Prunellae Xia Ku Cao	Fol. Clerodendri Chou Wu Tong
Wind-Dampness with bone and sinew soreness and pain and numbness in the extremities.	Liver Fire or Liver Yang Rising with blurred vision, headache, and dizziness.	Hypertension.

For spider and snake bites, the fresh herb can be crushed and its juice applied. Swallowing the juice induces vomiting.
As a single herb, it can be used internally and topically for skin disorders.
Its juice can serve as an emetic to bring up Phlegm.
Some sources place it in the "Spirit Calming" category.
Xi Xian Cao and Fol. Clerodendron Chou Wu Tong both treat Wind-Damp Bi and itchy rashes from Wind or Dampness. Xi Xian Cao is best at dispelling Wind-Dampness lodged in the sinews and bones, treats Wind-Stroke with paralysis and is particularly effective for numbness of the limbs. Chou Wu Tong calms Liver Yang to relieve dizziness and may be used alone for this purpose.
Untreated Siegesbeckia Sheng Xi Xian Cao clears Liver Heat, transforms Damp-Heat, and treats Damp-Heat sores and rashes as well as Liver Yang rising with headaches and dizziness. It can be applied topically for sores and snakebites.
Wine-fried Siegesbeckia Jiu Zhi Xi Xian Cao dispels Wind-Dampness and strengthens the sinews and bones. It is used for Wind-Stroke, hemiplegia, headache, dizziness, pain from Wind-Damp Bi and weakness of the knees and lower limbs. Rather than cooling, it is slightly warming and tonifying.