This product is the above-ground part of the annual herbaceous plant of the Asteraceae family, Siegesbeckia orientalis (Siegsbeckia orientalis L.), Siegesbeckia pubescens (S. pubescens Makino), or Siegesbeckia glabrescens (S. glabrescens Makino). It is produced in most regions of mainland China, with larger yields in Hunan, northern Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and other areas. It can be harvested before flowering and during the flowering season in summer and autumn, removing impurities and drying it in the sun. It is used either chopped raw or steamed with yellow rice wine.

bubble_chart Properties and Meridians

Bitter and acrid, cold. act on liver and kidney channels.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Dispelling wind and dampness, dredging meridians and activating collaterals, clearing heat and removing toxins.

bubble_chart Indications

1. Used for wind-dampness Bi disease, joint pain, numbness of limbs, and weakness in the feet. This product is pungent and dispersing, bitter and drying, expelling wind-dampness between the bones and muscles to relieve pain and unblock impediment. When used raw, it is slightly cold and good at resolving dampness and heat, making it especially suitable for wind-dampness impediment pain with heat. When used together with Harlequin Glorybower Leaf and Twig, it forms the Xitong Pill from the "Collection of Health Preservation Experiences." For treating wind-cold-dampness impediment or apoplexy wilting impediment, it can be used alone, steamed into pills, and taken with warm wine, as described in the Xixian Pill from the "Compilation of Life-Saving Formulas."
2. Used for sores, ulcers, swelling, and toxins, as well as eczema and cutaneous pruritus, due to its ability to clear heat, remove toxins, dispel wind, and dampness to stop itching. It can be used both internally and externally.
3. In addition, this product can lower blood pressure and is used for hypertension.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Xinxiu Bencao: "Mainly treats heat accumulation, irritability, and inability to eat. Crush it fresh to extract the juice, take three to four ge, but taking too much may cause vomiting."
2. Bencao Tujing: "Treats liver and kidney-wind edema, qi disorders, numbness in the limbs, bone pain, weak knees, and various sores caused by wind-dampness." It also states: "When used raw, it has a cold nature; when cooked, it has a warm nature."

bubble_chart Usage and Dosage

Decoct and take 15-20g. For external use, apply an appropriate amount. Generally, for treating wind-dampness Bi disease, it should be processed; for eczema and damp sores, it should be used raw.

bubble_chart Modern Pharmacology

Siegesbeckia contains alkaloids, phenolic components, siegesbeckia glycosides, amino acids, organic acids, sugars, bitter substances, etc. When Siegesbeckia is decocted with water or soaked in alcohol and used in combination with Harlequin Glorybower Leaf and Twig, it exhibits significant anti-inflammatory effects. Its water extract and 30% ethanol extract have blood pressure-lowering and vasodilating effects. It also inhibits Plasmodium in mice.