Pharmaceutical Name

Radix Lithospermi seu Arnebiae

Botanical Name

1. Lithospermun erythrorhizon sieb. et zucc; 2. Arnebia euchroma (Royle Johnst); 3. Macrotomia euchroma

Common Name

Lithospermun root, Arnebia root, Groomwell root

Source of Earliest Record

Shennong Bencao Jing

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations

The roots are dug in spring or autumn, dried in the sun, soaked in water and cut into slices.

Properties & Taste

Sweet and cold

Meridians

Heart and liver

Functions

1. To cool blood and invigorate blood; 2. To release toxins and bring the rash to the surface; 3. To promote bowel movement and moisten the intestines

Indications & Combinations

1. Incomplete expression of rash in measles due to toxic heat in the blood. Arnebia (Zicao) is used with Cicada slough (Chantui), Arctium fruit (Niubangzi). 2. Maculopapule in febrile disease. Arnebia (Zicao) is used with Red peony (Chishao), Moutan bark (Mudanpi), Honeysuckle flower (Jinyinhua) and Forsythia fruit (Lianqiao). 3. Prevention of measles. Arnebia (Zicao) is used with Licorice root (Gancao). 4. Boils, carbuncles, burns and injury due to cold. Arnebia (Zicao) is used with Chinese angelica root (Danggui), Dahurian angelica root (Baizhi) and Dragon's blood (Xuejie) as an external application in the formula Shengji Yuhong Gao.

Dosage

3-10 g

Cautions & Contraindications

This herb is contraindicated during weakness of the spleen accompanied by diarrhea.

Herbs that clear heat and release toxins

The category of herbs that clear heat and release toxins is indicated in syndromes caused by excessive toxic heat, including boils, carbuncles, furuncles, maculopapule, erysipelas, sore throat and dysentery. Some of these herbs may help arrest cancerous growth and release the poison from snake bites.