Witnessed by: TCM
Carpesium (Carpesium abrotanoides), of the Asteraceae family. Coarse aromatic biennial of roadsides; native range: China and temperate Eurasia, in waste ground. Globally recognized as he shi (鶴虱) in Chinese, and carpesium seed, crane's louse in English. The part used is fruit. Tiny ribbed brown seed, bitter and acrid, sharply aromatic.
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.
CARPESIUM
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- carpesium
- Scientific name
- Carpesium abrotanoides L.
- Family
- Asteraceae
Form
- Part used
- fruit
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- bitter · pungent
Temperature
- TCM
- neutral
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Spleen · Stomach
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- kills and expels intestinal parasites, dispels accumulation
Cautions
- Contraindications
- pregnancy and a weak constitution
- Toxicity
- mildly toxic; overdose may bring dizziness, nausea, and vomiting
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