✵This article documents the herb Siegesbeckia Herb, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, property and flavor, and botanical sources—three plant species: (1) Siegesbeckia orientalis L., (2) Siegesbeckia pubescens Makino, and (3) Siegesbeckia glabrescens Makino—along with detailed descriptions of their botanical features, growth characteristics, ecological environments, macroscopic features of the herb, pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Herba Siegesbeckiae (Siegesbeckia Herb)
Pinyin Name: Xī Xiān Cǎo
English Name: Siegesbeckia Herb
Latin Name:Herba Siegesbeckiae Property and Flavors: Cold, pungent, bitter
Brief Introduction:Herba Siegesbeckiae is the dried aerial part of Siegesbeckia orientalis L., Siegesbeckia pubescens Makino, or Siegesbeckia glabrescens Makino. It is used (1) to dispel wind-dampness and unblock the collaterals for treating wind-damp (rheumatic or rheumatoid) arthralgia, and (2) to clear heat and counteract toxins for treating boils, sores, abscesses, and ulcers. The herb is commonly known as Herba Siegesbeckiae, Siegesbeckia Herb, or Xi Xian Cao.
Botanical Source: Classical herbal works define Herba Siegesbeckiae (Siegesbeckia Herb) as the dried aerial part of (1) Siegesbeckia orientalis L., (2) Siegesbeckia pubescens Makino, and (3) Siegesbeckia glabrescens Makino. These are species of the genus Siegesbeckia L., family Asteraceae (Compositae, daisy family), order Asterales. The commonly used species are introduced below:
(1) Siegesbeckia orientalis L.
Botanical Description: The plant Siegesbeckia orientalis L. is commonly known as Xi Xian Cao. It is an annual herb growing up to 30–100 cm tall. The stem is erect; branches are obtuse, and upper branches are often dichotomous. All branches are covered with ash-gray pubescence. Leaves are opposite; basal leaves wither during the flowering phase. Middle-stem leaves are triangular-ovate or ovate-lanceolate, 4–10 cm long and 1.8–6.5 cm wide; the apex is acuminate; the base is broadly cuneate and decurrent into an aliform petiole; the margin is regularly lobed or coarsely serrate; the upper surface is green, the lower surface is pale green and glandular; both surfaces are pilose; venation features are conspicuous ternate basal veins, lateral veins, and reticulate veins. Upper-stem leaves are smaller, ovate-oblong, with a sinuolate or entire margin, and are subsessile.
Capitula (flower heads) are numerous, arranged in dense clusters forming terminal panicles. Pedicels are 1.5–4 cm long and densely pubescent. The involucre is broadly campanulate, with bracts in two series: outer bracts are leafy, linear-spatulate or spatulate, 8–11 mm long and ~1.2 mm wide, spreading; inner bracts are ovoid-oblong or ovoid, ~5 mm long and 1.5–2.2 mm wide. The abaxial surface of all bracts is covered with purplish-brown (puce) capitate stipitate-glandular hairs. Outer bracts are oblong and recurved; inner bracts are obovate-oblong. Flowers are yellow. The corolla tube of female flowers is 0.7 mm long. The upper portion of the hermaphroditic tubular flowers is campanulate, with 4–5 ovoid lobes at the apex.
Achenes are obovate, 4-ribbed, with taupe (dust-colored) annular projections at the apex; they measure 3–3.5 mm in length and 1–1.5 mm in width. The flowering period extends from April to September; the fruiting period spans from June to November.
Ecological Environment: Siegesbeckia orientalis grows in mountainous regions, wild grasslands, shrublands, and forests, at elevations of 110–2,700 m above sea level. It is also commonly found in cultivated fields.
Growth Characteristics:Siegesbeckia orientalis grows wild on hillsides, roadsides, and wastelands, exhibiting strong adaptability. It prefers warm, humid conditions and thrives in humus-rich, fertile clay or sandy loam soils, yielding abundantly. Soil moisture should not be excessive, as waterlogging predisposes the plant to root rot. Low-lying, poorly drained areas are unsuitable for cultivation.
Characteristics of the Herb: The stem is cylindrical, with a surface color ranging from celadon (sage green) to yellowish-brown or purplish-brown, bearing longitudinal grooves and fine striations. Branches are opposite; nodes are slightly enlarged and densely covered with white pubescence. The herb is light and brittle, fracturing easily to reveal conspicuous white pith. Leaves are opposite but often shed or fragmented; intact leaves are triangular-ovate or ovate-lanceolate, 4–10 cm long and 1.8–6.5 cm wide; the apex is acute (not blunt); the base is broadly cuneate and decurrent into a winged petiole; the margin is irregularly lobed or coarsely serrate; both surfaces are pilose, and the lower surface bears glandular spots. Yellow capitula may be visible at the stem apex or leaf axils. The herb has a faint odor and a slightly bitter taste.
Pharmacological Actions: (1) anti-inflammatory effect; (2) antihypertensive effect; (3) vasodilatory effect; (4) inhibitory effects on cellular immunity, humoral immunity, and non-specific immunity; (5) antibacterial and antimalarial effects.
Medicinal Efficacy: Dispels wind-dampness, strengthens muscles and bones, unblocks meridians and collaterals, lowers blood pressure, clears heat, and detoxifies. It is indicated for quadriplegia, rheumatic arthralgia, muscular and skeletal pain, lumbago and knee weakness, malaria, acute hepatitis, jaundice, hypertension, malignant boils, carbuncles, sores, urticaria, eczematous dermatitis, traumatic bleeding, and bites from insects or venomous animals.
Administration of Herba Siegesbeckiae (Xī Xiān Cǎo):
Reference:
Administration Guide for Herba Siegesbeckiae (Xī Xiān Cǎo)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally: 9–12 grams; (2) Internally: water decoction, 3–4 qian (≈9–12 grams); higher doses range from 1–2 liang (≈30–60 grams); may also be used as fresh juice, pills, or powder. External use: apply mashed herb topically; or prepare a fine powder for topical application; or use decoction for fumigation and washing. (3) Internally:water decoction, 9–12 grams; higher doses may reach 30–60 g; may also be used as fresh juice, pills, or powder. External use: apply appropriate amounts—mashed herb, finely powdered herb, or decoction for fumigation and washing.
(2) Siegesbeckia pubescens Makino
Botanical Description:Siegesbeckia pubescens Makino is also known as Siegesbeckia orientalis L. f. pubescens Makino and commonly called Xian Geng Xi Xian Cao. It is an annual herb with an erect, stout stem, growing up to 30–110 cm tall; the upper part is profusely branched and covered with spreading ash-gray (grayish-white) pilose hairs and coarse trichomes. Basal leaves are ovate-lanceolate and wither during the flowering phase. Middle-stem leaves are ovoid or ovate, spreading, 3.5–12 cm long and 1.8–6 cm wide; the base is broadly cuneate and decurrent into an aliform (winged) petiole 1–3 cm long; the apex is acuminate; the margin bears regular or irregular, sharply pointed coarse teeth. Upper-stem leaves gradually diminish in size, becoming lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate. The upper leaf surface is dark green; the lower surface is pale green (pea-green); venation features are conspicuous ternate basal veins, lateral veins, and reticulate veins; both surfaces are covered with appressed pubescence, with villous indumentum along the veins.
Capitula (flower heads) are 18–22 mm in diameter and grow predominantly at branch tips in loose panicles. Pedicels are elongated and densely covered with purplish-brown (puce) capitate stipitate-glandular hairs and pilose trichomes. The involucre is broadly campanulate, with bracts in two series: outer bracts are foliaceous, linear-spatulate or broadly linear, 7–14 mm long; inner bracts are ovoid-oblong, ~3.5 mm long. The abaxial surface of all bracts is densely covered with purplish-brown capitate stipitate-glandular hairs. The corolla tube of ligulate flowers is 1–1.2 mm long; the ligulate apex is 2–3-lobed (occasionally 5-lobed). Hermaphroditic tubular flowers are ~2.5 mm long; the limb is campanulate (bell-shaped), with a 4–5-lobed apex.
Achenes are obovate-ovoid, 4-ribbed, with taupe (dust-colored) annular projections at the apex. Flowering occurs from May to August; fruiting extends from June to October.
Ecological Environment:Siegesbeckia pubescens grows on hillsides and mountain slopes, in valleys, along forest edges, in shrublands and open woodlands, beside streams and rivers, in damp alluvial fields, on cultivated field margins, and in lawns—across elevations of 160–3,400 m above sea level.
Characteristics of the Herb: The upper branches bear pilose indumentum and purplish-brown glandular spots. Leaves are ovoid or oval, with an irregularly serrulate margin.
(3) Siegesbeckia glabrescens Makino
Botanical Description:Siegesbeckia glabrescens Makino is also known as Siegesbeckia orientalis f. glabrescens Makino and commonly called Mao Geng Xi Xian Cao, Guang Xi Xian, or Shao Mao Xi Xian. It is an annual herb with an erect, slender, delicate stem, 30–80 cm tall; the upper part is usually branched and covered with appressed pubescence—sometimes dense on the upper portions. Basal leaves wither during the flowering phase. Middle-stem leaves are ovoid, triangular-ovoid, or ovate-lanceolate, 2.5–11 cm long and 1.5–7 cm wide; the base is broadly cuneate or blunt, occasionally decurrent into winged petioles 0.5–6 cm long; the apex is acuminate; the margin is regularly serrate. Upper-stem leaves progressively reduce in size, becoming ovate-lanceolate (~1 cm long × 0.5 cm wide), with a sparsely toothed or entire margin, and are short-petiolate or sessile. Both leaf surfaces are pilose; basal three veins are prominent; leaf veins are slightly raised on the lower surface.
Capitula (flower heads) are 10–18 mm in diameter, most arranged at branch tips in sparse panicles. Pedicels are slender and sparsely pubescent. The involucre is campanulate (bell-shaped), with bracts in two series: outer bracts are foliaceous, linear-spatulate, 6–9 mm long (n = 5); inner bracts are obovate-oblong, ~3 mm long. The abaxial surface of bracts is densely covered with purplish-brown capitate stipitate-glandular hairs; stipules (if present) are obovate-oblong and sparsely glandular-hairy abaxially. The corolla tube of female flowers is ~0.8 mm long; the upper portion of hermaphroditic flowers is campanulate, with a 4–5-dentate apex.
Achenes are obovate, 4-ribbed, ~2.5 mm long, and bear taupe (grayish-brown) annular projections. Flowering occurs from April to September; fruiting extends from June to November.
Ecological Environment:Siegesbeckia glabrescens grows along roadsides, in open woodlands and fields, in wild grasslands, and in shrublands on hillsides and mountain slopes—across elevations of 300–1,000 m above sea level.
Characteristics of the Herb: The upper part of the branch is sparsely covered with prostrate pubescence, and the leaf blades are small; the leaf margin is regularly serrated.
✵This article documents the herb Siegesbeckia Herb, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, property and flavor, and botanical sources—three plant species: (1) Siegesbeckia orientalis L., (2) Siegesbeckia pubescens Makino, and (3) Siegesbeckia glabrescens Makino—along with detailed descriptions of their botanical features, growth characteristics, ecological environments, macroscopic features of the herb, pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Xī Xiān Cǎo
Botanical Description: The plant Siegesbeckia orientalis L. is commonly known as Xi Xian Cao. It is an annual herb growing up to 30–100 cm tall. The stem is erect; branches are obtuse, and upper branches are often dichotomous. All branches are covered with ash-gray pubescence. Leaves are opposite; basal leaves wither during the flowering phase. Middle-stem leaves are triangular-ovate or ovate-lanceolate, 4–10 cm long and 1.8–6.5 cm wide; the apex is acuminate; the base is broadly cuneate and decurrent into an aliform petiole; the margin is regularly lobed or coarsely serrate; the upper surface is green, the lower surface is pale green and glandular; both surfaces are pilose; venation features are conspicuous ternate basal veins, lateral veins, and reticulate veins. Upper-stem leaves are smaller, ovate-oblong, with a sinuolate or entire margin, and are subsessile.
Ecological Environment: Siegesbeckia orientalis grows in mountainous regions, wild grasslands, shrublands, and forests, at elevations of 110–2,700 m above sea level. It is also commonly found in cultivated fields.
Characteristics of the Herb: The stem is cylindrical, with a surface color ranging from celadon (sage green) to yellowish-brown or purplish-brown, bearing longitudinal grooves and fine striations. Branches are opposite; nodes are slightly enlarged and densely covered with white pubescence. The herb is light and brittle, fracturing easily to reveal conspicuous white pith. Leaves are opposite but often shed or fragmented; intact leaves are triangular-ovate or ovate-lanceolate, 4–10 cm long and 1.8–6.5 cm wide; the apex is acute (not blunt); the base is broadly cuneate and decurrent into a winged petiole; the margin is irregularly lobed or coarsely serrate; both surfaces are pilose, and the lower surface bears glandular spots. Yellow capitula may be visible at the stem apex or leaf axils. The herb has a faint odor and a slightly bitter taste.
Botanical Description: Siegesbeckia pubescens Makino is also known as Siegesbeckia orientalis L. f. pubescens Makino and commonly called Xian Geng Xi Xian Cao. It is an annual herb with an erect, stout stem, growing up to 30–110 cm tall; the upper part is profusely branched and covered with spreading ash-gray (grayish-white) pilose hairs and coarse trichomes. Basal leaves are ovate-lanceolate and wither during the flowering phase. Middle-stem leaves are ovoid or ovate, spreading, 3.5–12 cm long and 1.8–6 cm wide; the base is broadly cuneate and decurrent into an aliform (winged) petiole 1–3 cm long; the apex is acuminate; the margin bears regular or irregular, sharply pointed coarse teeth. Upper-stem leaves gradually diminish in size, becoming lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate. The upper leaf surface is dark green; the lower surface is pale green (pea-green); venation features are conspicuous ternate basal veins, lateral veins, and reticulate veins; both surfaces are covered with appressed pubescence, with villous indumentum along the veins.
Ecological Environment: Siegesbeckia pubescens grows on hillsides and mountain slopes, in valleys, along forest edges, in shrublands and open woodlands, beside streams and rivers, in damp alluvial fields, on cultivated field margins, and in lawns—across elevations of 160–3,400 m above sea level.
Botanical Description: Siegesbeckia glabrescens Makino is also known as Siegesbeckia orientalis f. glabrescens Makino and commonly called Mao Geng Xi Xian Cao, Guang Xi Xian, or Shao Mao Xi Xian. It is an annual herb with an erect, slender, delicate stem, 30–80 cm tall; the upper part is usually branched and covered with appressed pubescence—sometimes dense on the upper portions. Basal leaves wither during the flowering phase. Middle-stem leaves are ovoid, triangular-ovoid, or ovate-lanceolate, 2.5–11 cm long and 1.5–7 cm wide; the base is broadly cuneate or blunt, occasionally decurrent into winged petioles 0.5–6 cm long; the apex is acuminate; the margin is regularly serrate. Upper-stem leaves progressively reduce in size, becoming ovate-lanceolate (~1 cm long × 0.5 cm wide), with a sparsely toothed or entire margin, and are short-petiolate or sessile. Both leaf surfaces are pilose; basal three veins are prominent; leaf veins are slightly raised on the lower surface.
Capitula (flower heads) are 10–18 mm in diameter, most arranged at branch tips in sparse panicles. Pedicels are slender and sparsely pubescent. The involucre is campanulate (bell-shaped), with bracts in two series: outer bracts are foliaceous, linear-spatulate, 6–9 mm long (n = 5); inner bracts are obovate-oblong, ~3 mm long. The abaxial surface of bracts is densely covered with purplish-brown capitate stipitate-glandular hairs; stipules (if present) are obovate-oblong and sparsely glandular-hairy abaxially. The corolla tube of female flowers is ~0.8 mm long; the upper portion of hermaphroditic flowers is campanulate, with a 4–5-dentate apex.
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