Witnessed by: TCM
Asarum (Asarum sieboldii), of the Aristolochiaceae family. Low creeping woodland perennial with heart-shaped leaves; native range: shaded mountain forests of China, Korea and Japan. Globally recognized as xi xin (细辛) in Chinese, and Chinese wild ginger, Siebold's asarum in English. The part used is whole plant with root. Fine tangled rootlets, intensely pungent and numbing with a peppery, camphoraceous heat.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
ASARUM
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- asarum
- Scientific name
- Asarum sieboldii Miq.
- Family
- Aristolochiaceae
Form
- Part used
- whole plant with root
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- pungent
Temperature
- TCM
- warm
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Lung · Kidney · Heart
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- dispels wind-cold, warms the Lung, transforms thin phlegm, opens the orifices, relieves pain
Cautions
- Contraindications
- contraindicated in qi or yin deficiency with sweating, and in heat patterns; classically incompatible with li lu
- Toxicity
- the aerial parts contain aristolochic acid and safrole; keep the dose small and use the root preparation, avoiding prolonged use
- Sourcing status
- legally-restricted
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