Xiān Hè Cǎo (仙鹤草), known in English as Agrimony (Agrimonia pilosa), is a neutral, bitter and astringent Chinese herb from the Stop bleeding category. It enters the Lung, Liver and Spleen channels. Its main action: stops bleeding — any cause (astringent action).
| Pinyin | Xiān Hè Cǎo (Xian He Cao) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 仙鹤草 |
| English | Agrimony |
| Botanical name | Agrimonia pilosa |
| Category | Stop bleeding |
| Nature | Neutral |
| Flavour | Bitter, Astringent |
| Channels | Lung, Liver, Spleen |
| Dosage | 9–30g (up to 60g for parasites) |
| Cautions | Large doses may cause nausea |
Actions
- Stops bleeding — any cause (astringent action)
- Tonifies deficiency, treats chronic diarrhoea
- Kills parasites (tapeworm)
Indications
- Bleeding of any cause
- Chronic diarrhoea from Spleen deficiency
- Tapeworm
- Fatigue
How to remember Xiān Hè Cǎo
Stop bleeding herbs are mostly cool or cold and bitter, and most enter the Liver channel.
- You can work these out
- Bitter, Liver channel: like most Stop bleeding herbs
- Spleen channel: from its use for “chronic diarrhoea from Spleen deficiency”
- Learn by heart
- Neutral: unusual for Stop bleeding herbs (most are cool or cold)
- Astringent: unusual for Stop bleeding herbs (most are bitter)
- Lung channel: nothing in its group or its actions points to it
Other Stop bleeding herbs
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Xiān Hè Cǎo?
Xiān Hè Cǎo is neutral and bitter and astringent.
Which channels does Xiān Hè Cǎo enter?
Xiān Hè Cǎo enters the Lung, Liver and Spleen channels.
What are the actions of Xiān Hè Cǎo?
Stops bleeding — any cause (astringent action); Tonifies deficiency, treats chronic diarrhoea; Kills parasites (tapeworm).
What is Xiān Hè Cǎo used for?
Bleeding of any cause; chronic diarrhoea from Spleen deficiency; tapeworm; fatigue.
Practise Xiān Hè Cǎo and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.