Xiao Ji
Cirsium setosum (Willd.) MB.
โฏ TCM Properties
Cools the Blood and Stops Bleeding; Invigorates Blood and Reduces Swelling; Resolves Toxicity and Expels Pus; Promotes Urination and Relieves Stranguria
Western Herbalism Properties
Botanical Description
Cirsium setosum (Willd.) M.Bieb. (Asteraceae), sometimes treated as Cirsium arvense var. setosum or Breea setosa, is a rhizomatous perennial herb of fields, roadsides, ditches and disturbed ground across much of temperate Eurasia. It spreads aggressively by deep, branching white horizontal roots, producing erect, ribbed, sparingly branched stems 30 to 100 cm tall that are smooth to slightly cobwebby and not strongly spiny on the stem. The leaves are alternate, sessile, oblong-lanceolate to oblong, 5 to 15 cm long, with shallowly toothed to pinnately lobed margins armed with weak yellow-brown spines, smooth above and finely arachnoid-tomentose beneath. The plant is dioecious; flower heads are borne in loose terminal clusters, each head 1.5 to 2.5 cm across with an ovoid involucre of overlapping bracts and a brush-like tuft of pale lilac to pink-purple disc florets and feathery pappus, with no ray florets. The fresh or dried whole plant in flower constitutes Xiao Ji.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | Daily | โ | โ | โ |
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional Chinese Uses
Bai Mao Gen (woolly grass rhizome) is a cold, sweet herb that cools the Blood and stops bleeding. It is well suited for bleeding from Heat in the Blood โ including nosebleeds, blood in the urine, and coughing up blood. Its simultaneous action of clearing Stomach Heat relieves fever-induced thirst and vomiting, while its diuretic quality supports recovery from urinary tract infections and edema. Gentle and food-safe, it is commonly used as a medicinal tea for summer heat conditions.
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
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.