Quick Facts
| Latin Name | Curculiginis Rhizoma |
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| Chinese Name & Pinyin | 仙茅 · Xian Mao |
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| Medicinal Part | Roots and rhizomes |
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| Efficacy Category | Tonifying |
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| Botanical Origin | The dried rhizome of Curculigo orchioides Gaertn.(Amaryllidaceae) |
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| Nature & Flavour | Acrid; Hot; Toxic |
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| Channels Entered | Kidney, Liver, Spleen |
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What Is Xian Mao?
Xian Mao (Common Vurculigo Rhizome) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Guangdong, Guangxi, Sichuan.
Nature & Flavour: Acrid; Hot; Toxic
Channels Entered: Kidney, Liver, Spleen
Xian Mao: Materia Medica Profile
Identification & Quality Standard
Curculiginis Rhizoma
Botanical Origin
The dried rhizome of Curculigo orchioides Gaertn.(Amaryllidaceae)
Production Regions
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Guangdong, Guangxi, Sichuan.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material has thick and long strip, firm texture, black-brown externally.
Macroscopic Features
Cylindrical, slightly curved, two ends are flat, 3~10cm long, 3~8mm diameter. Externally brown or black-brown, rough, wrinkled and uneven, with thin and dense discontinuous horizontal lines, and scattered faint small spotted lenticels. Remnants of root pieces have thin ends and thick middle rootlets grow thickly at one end of the rhizome, 3~6cm long, with extremely dense ringed horizontal lines, light and loose texture, soft but hard to break. Rhizome is firm and brittle, easily broken, flat fractured surface, slightly granular (steamed pieces are slightly transparent and horn-like), cortex is pale grayish-brown or reddish-brown due to gelatinization, relatively dark near the center. Slightly acrid odor, slightly bitter and acrid taste.
Traditional TCM Properties
Acrid; Hot; ToxicKidneyLiverSpleen
Traditional Functions
Supplements kidney yang, strengthens sinew and bone, dispels cold-dampness.
How Xian Mao Is Used in TCM
In the Chinese materia medica, Xian Mao is classified among the Tonifying herbs.
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.
