Pinyin: Zicao
Aliases
Zi Dan, Di Xue, Zi Cao Rong, Hong Zi Cao
Source
Borage family plant *Arnebia euchroma* (Royle) Johnst.Arnebia euchromaDried root of (Royle) Johnst.
Botanical Description
Xinjiang Zicao (Arnebia euchroma): A perennial herb, 15-40 cm tall. The entire plant is covered with white or pale yellow long stiff hairs. The root is stout, somewhat conical, with the root crown often twisted together with several lateral roots, the outer bark is dark reddish-purple. The stem is erect, single or branched at the base into two branches, with a stem sheath formed by persistent leaf bases at the base. Basal leaves are clustered, linear-lanceolate or linear, 5-20 cm long, 5-15 mm wide, apex shortly acuminate, base expanded into a sheath, entire margin; stem leaves are linear-lanceolate, acuminate, base without sheath, sessile. Scorpioid cymes are densely arranged in the leaf axils on the stem, 2-6 cm long; flowers are bisexual, bracts leaf-like, lanceolate, with stiff hairs; calyx is short-tubular, 5-lobed, lobes narrowly linear, densely covered with pale yellow stiff hairs on both surfaces; corolla is tubular-campanulate, purple or pale purple, 1-1.5 cm long, lobes elliptic, spreading; outer side slightly hairy, throat and base smooth, without appendages; stamens 5, filaments short or absent, inserted at the middle or throat of the corolla tube; ovary 4-parted, style slender, apex shallowly 2-lobed, stigmas 2, obovate. Nutlets are broadly ovoid, brown, 3.5 mm long, about 3 mm wide, with coarse reticulation and a few tuberculate protrusions. Flowering period is June to July, fruiting period is August to September.
Habitat and Distribution
Grows on gravelly mountain slopes, grasslands, and meadows at altitudes of 2500-4200 m. Distributed in Xinjiang, Gansu, and western Xizang.
Harvesting and Processing
Harvested in spring and autumn, remove sediment and sand, then dry.
Medicinal Properties
This product appears as irregularly long cylindrical shapes, mostly twisted, 7-20 cm long, 1-2.5 cm in diameter. The surface is purplish-red or purplish-brown, with loose bark arranged in strip-like flakes, often overlapping in more than 10 layers and easily peeling off. The apex may show branched stem remnants. It is light in weight, soft and loose in texture, easily broken; the fracture is uneven, with a small, yellowish-white or yellow woody part. The odor is distinctive, and the taste is slightly bitter and astringent.
Chemical Constituents
This product mainly containsβInternal use: decoct 3-10 gβ′-Dimethylacrylalkannin, acetylshikonin, deoxyshikonin, isobutyrylshikonin, shikonin, and tormentic acid and other constituents.
Pharmacology
Has anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, sedative, analgesic, anti-pathogenic microbial, anti-tumor, anti-fertility, and smooth muscle stimulating effects.
Properties and Channel Entry
Sweet, salty, and cold. Enters the Heart and Liver channels.
Functions and Indications
Clears Heat and cools Blood, activates Blood and resolves toxicity, promotes eruption of rashes and eliminates macules. Used for Blood-Heat with exuberant toxicity, purple-black macules and papules, incomplete measles eruption, sores and ulcers, eczema, and scalds and burns.
Dosage and Administration
Internal use: decoct in water, 3-9 g; or take as powder. External use: appropriate amount, apply as ointment or oil.
Precautions and Contraindications
Contraindicated in cases of gastrointestinal weakness and loose stools.
Prescriptions
1. For five types of jaundice with heat and yellowing: Zicao 9 g, Yinchencao 30 g. Decoct in water and take orally. (From *Bencao Qieyao*) 2. For carbuncles and abscesses with constipation: Zicao and Gualou in equal parts. Decoct in fresh water and take orally. (From *Zhizhi Fang*) 3. For pediatric tinea capitis (white baldness): Decoct Zicao and apply the juice topically. (From *Shenghui Fang*) 4. For bites from venomous insects: Apply Zicao oil topically. (From *Shenghui Fang*) 5. For pox (smallpox) that erupts slowly with diarrhea: Zicao, Muxiang, Fuling, and Baizhu in equal parts, with a small amount of Gancao (stir-fried). Add glutinous rice and decoct. (From *Zhizhi Fang* Zicao Muxiang Decoction)
