Xiang Ri Gui Jing Sui
Unknown
☯ TCM Properties
Clears Heat and induces diuresis (clears Damp-Heat); Opens the Orifices, expels wind and relieves coughing
Western Herbalism Properties
Botanical Description
Xiang Ri Gui Jing Sui is the dried pith from the stems of the common sunflower, Helianthus annuus L. (Asteraceae). The parent plant is a robust annual herb 1-3 m tall, with a coarse, erect, often unbranched stem 3-6 cm thick clothed in stiff hairs. The large alternate leaves are ovate to cordate, 10-30 cm long, with serrate margins and rough surfaces. The terminal solitary capitulum 10-40 cm across bears yellow ray florets surrounding a flat brown disc that ripens hundreds of achenes (sunflower seeds). After harvest, the soft, white, spongy pith is extracted from the dried stalk and used in Chinese folk medicine to promote urination, relieve dysuria, and treat urinary stones and edema. Native to the Americas, sunflower was introduced to China in the sixteenth century.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | Daily | — | — | — |
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional American Uses
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is indigenous to North America and was extensively cultivated by Native American peoples for at least 4000 years; the Hopi, Dakota, Cherokee, and Zuni used various parts medicinally and ceremonially. The Dakota used the stem pith for chest pain and pulmonary trouble, while the Zuni and Hopi employed sunflower preparations for snakebite and as poultices (Moerman, 1998).
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.