Quick Facts
| Latin Name | Schizonepetae Spica |
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| Chinese Name & Pinyin | 荊芥穗 · Jing Jie Sui |
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| Medicinal Part | Flowers |
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| Efficacy Category | Exterior-releasing |
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| Botanical Origin | The dried flowering spike of Schizonepeta tenuifolia Briq. (Lamiaceae). |
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| Nature & Flavour | Acrid; Slightly warm |
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| Channels Entered | Lung, Liver |
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What Is Jing Jie Sui?
Jing Jie Sui (Schizonepeta Spike) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Hebei, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Jiangxi.
Nature & Flavour: Acrid; Slightly warm
Channels Entered: Lung, Liver
Jing Jie Sui: Materia Medica Profile
Identification & Quality Standard
Schizonepetae Spica
Botanical Origin
The dried flowering spike of Schizonepeta tenuifolia Briq. (Lamiaceae).
Production Regions
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Hebei, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Jiangxi.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material is spike-rich, greenish, and strongly aromatic, without old stems.
Macroscopic Features
Cylindrical spikes, 3~15cm long; calyx campanulate, pale brownish-green; corolla pale purple; intensely aromatic, slightly astringent and pungent.
Traditional TCM Properties
Acrid; Slightly warmLungLiver
Traditional Functions
Releases the exterior, disperses wind, and vents rashes; the spike is more focused on the head and exterior than the whole herb. Apply to wind-cold or wind-heat exterior patterns, headache, and measles or rubella that do not vent smoothly.
How Jing Jie Sui Is Used in TCM
In the Chinese materia medica, Jing Jie Sui is classified among the Exterior-releasing herbs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Jing Jie Sui? Are schizonepeta herb and saposhnikovia the same?
Official Jing Jie Sui (荆芥穗) is the dried flower spike of Schizonepeta tenuifolia. The pharmacopoeial name is Schizonepetae Spica. Schizonepeta herb is the whole herb, acrid and slightly warm: releases the exterior and dispels wind. Saposhnikovia is acrid-sweet and slightly warm: dispels wind, releases the exterior, overcomes dampness and stops pain. The three cannot be interchanged by equal weight. Write Jing Jie Sui. Exterior deficiency with spontaneous sweating and yin deficiency with fire are contraindicated.
What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Jing Jie Sui?
According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Jing Jie Sui is acrid and slightly warm, enters the Lung and Liver channels, and acts to release the exterior, dispel wind, vent rash and dissipate sores. It is used for common cold, headache, measles, wind rash, and early sores. Charred Jing Jie Sui astringes and stops bleeding, for bloody stool, flooding and spotting, and postpartum blood dizziness. Acrid and slightly warm, it suits wind-cold exterior patterns—not exterior deficiency with spontaneous sweating, or yin deficiency with fire.
How do you choose raw versus charred spike? Can schizonepeta herb replace it?
Raw spike is stronger for releasing the exterior and dispelling wind. Charred spike astringes and stops bleeding. Schizonepeta herb is the whole herb; it cannot replace the spike for venting rash by equal weight. Commercial schizonepeta-spike tea is not equal-weight pieces.
Learn More About Jing Jie Sui
Explore our in-depth article covering the traditional uses, properties, functions, and TCM context of Jing Jie Sui.
Read the Jing Jie Sui Guide →
Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.
