Lithospermum Root – 1 lb (454 g)

Lithospermum Root, known in Chinese as 紫草 (Zǐcǎo) and scientifically as Radix Arnebiae seu Lithospermi, is a valued herb in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This TCM herb has been traditionally used to support natural wellness, maintain vitality, and encourage holistic balance. At TCMforyou.com, we provide premium-quality Lithospermum Root carefully sourced to preserve its therapeutic properties.

As a herbal supplement, Lithospermum Root helps promote overall well-being and supports natural energy, immunity, and balance. Integrating this herb into your wellness routine offers a gentle, time-tested approach to enhancing daily health. Whether brewed as tea, added to herbal remedies, or taken as part of a TCM formula, Lithospermum Root provides a safe, natural way to experience the benefits of traditional Chinese medicine.

Trusted for centuries, Lithospermum Root has been used in TCM to harmonize the body and encourage optimal functioning of key systems. At TCMforyou, we prioritize authenticity and quality. Each batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure purity and potency, delivering an herbal product aligned with traditional practices.

Experience the natural support of Lithospermum Root, promoting immune health, vitality, and holistic well-being. Embrace the wisdom of TCM and incorporate this gentle, effective herbal remedy into your daily wellness journey.

[Overview] This herb is also known as Zidan, Zicaorong, Zicaogen, and Zigen. It is the root of plants from the Boraginaceae family: Arnebia euchroma (Royle) Johnst., Lithospermum erythrorhizon Sieb. et Zucc., or Arnebia guttata Bunge from Inner Mongolia. The main production areas are Xinjiang, Liaoning, Henan, Hebei, and Inner Mongolia. It is harvested in spring and autumn by digging up the roots, removing soil and sand, then drying in the sun.

[Properties] Bitter in taste, cold in nature. Enters the Heart and Liver meridians.

[Actions] Cools the blood and activates blood circulation; detoxifies and promotes rash eruption.

[Applications] 1. Used for heat toxin causing rashes and incomplete eruption of measles. For warm disease with purple-black rashes, often combined with Moutan Cortex (Danpi), Red Peony Root (Chishao), and Isatis Leaf (Daqingye). For measles with incomplete eruption, often combined with Red Peony Root (Chishao) and Cicada Slough (Chanyi). For measles with sore throat, can be combined with Burdock Seed (Niubangzi), Forsythia (Lianqiao), and Sophora Root (Shandougen). For qi deficiency with incomplete rash eruption, can be combined with Astragalus (Huangqi), Cimicifuga (Shengma), and Schizonepeta (Jingjie).

2. Used for blood-heat bleeding syndromes. For hematemesis and epistaxis, often combined with Biota Leaf (Cebaiye), Rehmannia (Shengdihuang), and Large Thistle (Daji). For hematuria and blood strangury, can be combined with Small Thistle (Xiaojie), Lotus Rhizome Node (Oujie), Dianthus (Qumai), and White Grass Root (Baimaogen). Modern clinical use also includes thrombocytopenic purpura, combined with Sepia (Haipiaoxiao) and Rubia (Qicao).

3. Used for carbuncles, ulcers, burns, eczema, erysipelas, frostbite, and lower limb ulcers. For carbuncles and ulcers, can be combined with Honeysuckle (Jinyinhua), Forsythia (Lianqiao), and Dandelion (Pugongying). For burns, eczema, and ulcers, can be combined with Angelica (Danggui) and sesame oil, as in the formula Ziguioil.

Additionally, this herb clears damp-heat and relieves jaundice, used for damp-heat jaundice often combined with Artemisia (Yinchen) and Knotweed (Huzhang).

[Dosage and Administration] Internal use: decoction, 5–9 g; or as powder. External use: appropriate amount, soaked in oil or made into ointment for topical application.

[Cautions] Use with caution in patients with spleen and stomach deficiency or loose stools.

[Modern Research] 1. Chemical constituents: Both hard Zicao and Xinjiang Zicao (soft Zicao) roots contain naphthoquinone pigments, mainly shikonin, acetylshikonin, isobutyrylshikonin, β-dimethylallylshikonin, β-hydroxyisovalerylshikonin, deoxyshikonin, isovalerylshikonin, and α-methylbutyrylshikonin. Additionally, soft Zicao contains phenolic benzene-type and benzoquinone-type monoterpenes such as soft Zicao ketones and alcohols. Hard Zicao contains esters formed from caffeic acid and alkanols including octadecanol, eicosanol, docosanol, and tetracosanol.

2. Pharmacological effects: Ethereal extract of Zicao shows significant antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and sedative effects. Shikonin inhibits Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Shigella dysenteriae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and also has inhibitory effects on herpes virus and skin fungi. Shikonin enhances radiotherapy effects on mouse liver cancer and Lewis lung carcinoma and reduces spontaneous mammary carcinoma incidence in rats. Zicao exhibits antifertility effects; oral administration reduces fertility in mice and shows significant antagonism to pituitary gonadotropins and chorionic gonadotropin. Decoction of Zicao has mild excitatory and strong inhibitory effects on the heart; the decoction shows variable excitatory effects on isolated uterine and small intestinal smooth muscle of rabbits.

3. Clinical reports: 1) Burns: 1000 ml sesame oil boiled in a beaker, add 250 g Zicao, stir and continue boiling until a paste forms, filter to obtain about 300–350 ml oil, cool to 40°C, add 3 g borneol, stir well. External application of Zicao oil on 285 burn cases resulted in complete cure. [Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, 1986, (11): 695]

2) Cervical erosion: 200 g Zicao and 750 g sesame oil prepared as an oil infusion for local use. Among 100 cases treated, 84 cured, 8 markedly effective, 4 improved, 4 ineffective; total effective rate 96%. [Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, 1986, (4): 237]

3) Psoriasis: 0.1% purified Zicao injection intramuscularly, 2 ml once daily. Among 50 cases, 13 cured, 8 basically cured, 18 markedly effective, 9 improved, 2 ineffective. [Chinese Journal of Dermatology, 1981, (1): 40]