Warm, Spicy Herbs that Release the Exterior
Xi Xin 细辛
Herba Asari Cum Radice Chinese Wild Ginger, Asarum
✓ National Exam
Materia Medica Data
- Temperature
- Warm
- Nature & Flavour
- Spicy, Warm
- Channels Entered
- LU, KI
- Latin (pharmaceutical)
- Herba Asari Cum Radice
- Chinese
- 细辛
- Tone Marks
- xì xīn
- Translation
- Thin Spicy
- Photo Note
- Xi Xin Gen Shown
Chinese Herb Actions
- Releases the Exterior, Disperses Cold For all exterior cold patterns, especially if accompanied by underlying Yang Deficiency or internal dampness.
- Stops Pain from cold For Wind-Cold causing body aches, headache, and toothache.
- Warms the Lungs For copious cold phlegm, congested fluids, and nasal congestion.
Chinese Herb Dosage
- 1-3 grams.
- Part used: whole plant.
Chinese Herb Contraindications & Cautions
- Caution in cases of lung heat, Yin Deficiency, qi Deficiency with sweating, and headache from blood Deficiency. Traditionally contraindicated with Fructus Corni Officinalis (shan zhu yu), Radix Astragali Membranacei (huang qi), and Talcum (hua shi). Caution in patients with renal problems.
Chinese Herb Notes
- Apply powder directly to affected area for nasal and oral problems.
This herb is incompatible with:
- Li Lu (Radix Et Rhizoma Veratri)
Sources & References
Compiled and edited by Thomas Dehli, Founder & Editor, Sacred Lotus
The information here is referenced from numerous sources — teachers, practitioners, class notes from Five Branches University, the books below, and the published research literature, with citations given as resolvable PubMed identifiers. Where sources disagree, I have flagged the discrepancies directly. If facts couldn't be verified, I have left them out. How we source our content.
Reference information for students and practitioners — not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner. Terms of use.
Chinese Herbs Books & References
https://amzn.to/3WfB3DK
https://amzn.to/3DR1VUh
https://amzn.to/42aMz73
https://amzn.to/3PuD4bt