Xiān Máo (仙茅), known in English as Curculigo rhizome (Curculigo orchioides), is a hot, acrid Chinese herb from the Tonify yang category. It enters the Kidney, Liver and Spleen channels. Its main action: warms Kidney Yang, strengthens sinews and bones.
| Pinyin | Xiān Máo (Xian Mao) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 仙茅 |
| English | Curculigo rhizome |
| Botanical name | Curculigo orchioides |
| Category | Tonify yang |
| Nature | Hot |
| Flavour | Acrid |
| Channels | Kidney, Liver, Spleen |
| Dosage | 3–9g |
| Cautions | Yin deficiency with Heat; toxic in overdose; pregnancy |
Actions
- Warms Kidney Yang, strengthens sinews and bones
- Expels Cold-Damp
Indications
- Kidney Yang deficiency: impotence, cold limbs, enuresis
- Cold-Damp Bi
- Menopausal syndrome
How to remember Xiān Máo
Tonify yang herbs are mostly warm or hot and sweet, and most enter the Kidney and Liver channels.
- You can work these out
- Hot: like most Tonify yang herbs
- Kidney channel: from its action “Warms Kidney Yang”
- Liver channel: from its action “strengthens sinews and bones”
- Learn by heart
- Acrid: unusual for Tonify yang herbs (most are sweet)
- Spleen channel: nothing in its group or its actions points to it
Other Tonify yang herbs
- Dù Zhòng
- Lù Róng
- Yín Yáng Huò
- Bǔ Gǔ Zhī
- Tù Sī Zǐ
- Bā Jǐ Tiān
- Suǒ Yáng
- Xù Duàn
- Ròu Cōng Róng
- Dōng Chóng Xià Cǎo
- Hé Táo Rén
- Shā Yuàn Zǐ
- Yì Zhì Rén
- Lù Jiǎo Jiāo
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Xiān Máo?
Xiān Máo is hot and acrid.
Which channels does Xiān Máo enter?
Xiān Máo enters the Kidney, Liver and Spleen channels.
What are the actions of Xiān Máo?
Warms Kidney Yang, strengthens sinews and bones; Expels Cold-Damp.
What is Xiān Máo used for?
Kidney Yang deficiency: impotence, cold limbs, enuresis; Cold-Damp Bi; menopausal syndrome.
Practise Xiān Máo 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.