1. Description:
Xanthium strumarium (also known as cocklebur, Chinese: Dai Er, 呆耳), a species of flowering plant in genus Xanthium (Asteraceae family). Native to Americas and eastern Asia, the plant can grow up to 1.2 meters tall. The fruit of Xanthium strumarium acts as depurative, discutient and antibacterial in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) used in treating diseases including malaria, dysentery, leprosy and rheumatism.
2. Odour, Properties And Channels:
Xanthium strumarium is considered to have sweet, warm and low toxicity properties and to be associated with the heart, liver, spleen and large intestine meridians.
3. Uses, Health Benefits of Xanthium strumarium & Medical Formulas:
3.1 Dysentery
A decoction of xanthium strumarium fruit and honey is taken orally to treat dysentery and severe diarrhea with mucus or blood in the feces.
3.2 Reducing Inflammation And Relieving Pain
Ash of xanthium strumarium fruit and powdered draba nemorosa is taken orally with water to treat abdominal edema accompanied with difficulty passing urine.
3.3 Bleeding Stopping
Juice extracted from xanthium strumarium stem and leaves is taken orally to stop nosebleed.
3.4 Skin Health
Ointment made with roots of xanthium strumarium is used externally to treat toothache and severe boils.
Powdered xanthium strumarium stem and leaves is taken orally to treat haemorrhoids.
3.5 Leprosy
A mixture of xanthium strumarium and lotus leaves are taken orally with warm wine to treat leprosy.
3.6 Improving Vision
Powdered xanthium strumarium fruits is taken with rice soup to treat dim vision.
3.7 Toothache
A decoction of xanthium strumarium fruits and salt is used as a mouth wash to treat swollen gums.
3.8 Rheumatism
A decoction of xanthium strumarium fruits (fried) is taken to treat rheumatoid arthritis with frequent cramping in hands or wrists.
3.9 Malaria
Pills made with xanthium strumarium fruits, wine and rice paste is taken orally with wine to treat chronic malaria.
The Ben Cao Medical Book (also known as Compendium of Materia Medica or Ben Cao Gang Mu; Chinese: 本草纲目) is the most famous and comprehensive medical book ever written in the history of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Compiled and written by Li Shi-zhen (1518~1593), a medical expert of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) over 27 years.
The Ben Cao Medical Book records and describes all the plants, animals, minerals, and other objects that were believed to have medicinal properties in TCM. The book reflects the pharmaceutical achievements and developments of East Asia before the 16th century. On the basis of his predecessors’ achievements in the pharmacological studies, Li contributed further by supplementing and rectifying many past mistakes and misconception in relate to nature of many medicinal substances and causes of various illnesses. Charles Darwin, originator of the biological theory of evolution, regards the book as the “ancient Chinese encyclopedia”.
Disclaimer: The Ben Cao Medical Book is translated by ChinaAbout.net . The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of CTM knowledge and information from the research and experience from the author Li Shi-zhen. Kindly be alert that the CTM knowledge and ancient formulas given above are likely NOT medically proven and may contain misconceptions.