Witnessed by: TCM
Cocklebur (Xanthium sibiricum), of the Asteraceae family. Coarse annual weed with broad leaves and clustered spiny burs; native range: waste ground, roadsides, and field edges across China and much of the world. Globally recognized as cang er zi (苍耳子) in Chinese, and cocklebur, Siberian cocklebur fruit in English. The part used is ripe fruit (bur). Hard spiny ovoid burs, acrid and slightly bitter, faintly aromatic when broken.
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.
COCKLEBUR
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- cocklebur
- Scientific name
- Xanthium sibiricum Patrin ex Widder
- Family
- Asteraceae
Form
- Part used
- ripe fruit (bur)
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- pungent · bitter
Temperature
- TCM
- warm
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Lung
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- dispels wind-dampness, opens the nasal passages, relieves pain, stops itching
Cautions
- Contraindications
- caution in headache and painful obstruction from blood deficiency; avoid overdose
- Toxicity
- slightly toxic; raw or excessive use may injure the Liver and cause vomiting
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