Witnessed by: TCM
Gromwell (Lithospermum erythrorhizon), of the Boraginaceae family. Erect perennial herb of grassy hillsides; native range: China, Korea and Japan. Globally recognized as zi cao (紫草) in Chinese, and purple gromwell root, red-root gromwell in English. The part used is root. Twisted purple-red root, soft and papery-barked, staining the fingers, with a faintly sweet-salty cold taste.
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.
GROMWELL
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- gromwell
- Scientific name
- Lithospermum erythrorhizon Siebold & Zucc.
- Family
- Boraginaceae
Form
- Part used
- root
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- sweet · salty
Temperature
- TCM
- cold
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Heart · Liver
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- cools the blood, invigorates the blood, clears heat, resolves toxicity, vents rashes
Cautions
- Contraindications
- contraindicated in Spleen deficiency with loose stools or diarrhea
- Toxicity
- large or prolonged doses may loosen the stool
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