Quick Facts
| Latin Name | Herba Cirsii |
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| Chinese Name & Pinyin | 小薊 · Xiao Ji |
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| Medicinal Part | Whole herbs |
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| Efficacy Category | Hemostatic |
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| Botanical Origin | The dried aerial portion of Cirsium setosum (Willd.) MB.(Asteraceae) |
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| Nature & Flavour | Sweet, Bitter; Cool |
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| Channels Entered | Heart, Liver |
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What Is Xiao Ji?
Xiao Ji (Field Thistle) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Produced in most areas of China.
Nature & Flavour: Sweet, Bitter; Cool
Channels Entered: Heart, Liver
Xiao Ji: Materia Medica Profile
Identification & Quality Standard
Herba Cirsii
Botanical Origin
The dried aerial portion of Cirsium setosum (Willd.) MB.(Asteraceae)
Production Regions
Produced in most areas of China.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material is grayish=green, with numerous leaves.
Macroscopic Features
Stem is cylindrical, sometimes the upper portion is branched, 5~30cm long, 0.2~0.5cm diameter; externally grayish-green or with purple color, with longitudinal ridges and white soft hairs; brittle texture, easily broken, fractured surface has hollow center. alternating leaves, with no stem or with short stem; leaf is wrinkled or broken, intact leaf is long elliptical or long round lanceolate after being flattened, 3~12cm long, 0.5~3cm wide; entire or slightly teethed to pinnate, tips have tiny thorns; upper surface is greenish-brown, lower surface is grayish-green, both surfaces covered white soft hairs. Flower head is singular or numerous, grows out from apex; involucres are bell-shaped, 5~8 layers of bracts, yellowish-green; flower is purplish-red. faint odor, slightly bitter taste.
Traditional TCM Properties
Sweet, Bitter; CoolHeartLiver
Traditional Functions
Cools blood, stops bleeding, dispels stasis, eliminates swelling. Apply to non-traumatic hemorrhage, hematemesis, hematuria, hemafecia, metrorrhagia and metrostaxia. Hemorrhage due to trauma, anthracia and sores.
How Xiao Ji Is Used in TCM
In the Chinese materia medica, Xiao Ji is classified among the Hemostatic herbs. It appears in 1 classical formulas in our library.
Formulas containing Xiao Ji are traditionally used for:
Frequent UrinationAbdominal PainDry Mouth & Throat
Classical Formulas Containing Xiao Ji
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Xiao Ji? Are Da Ji, Ce Bai Ye and Pu Huang the same?
Official Xiao Ji (小蓟) is the dried aerial part of Cirsium setosum. The pharmacopoeial name is Cirsii Herba. Da Ji is the aerial part of Cirsium japonicum. The pharmacopoeial name is Cirsii Japonici Herba: cools Blood, stops bleeding, dissipates stasis, resolves toxin and disperses abscess, with a stronger abscess action. Ce Bai Ye is bitter-astringent and cold: cools Blood, stops bleeding, transforms phlegm, stops cough and darkens the hair. Pu Huang is sweet-neutral: stops bleeding, transforms stasis and frees strangury. Write Xiao Ji. Use caution in vacuity-cold bleeding.
What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Xiao Ji?
According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Xiao Ji is sweet, bitter and cool, enters the Heart and Liver channels, and acts to cool Blood, stop bleeding, dissipate stasis, resolve toxin and disperse abscess. It is used for nosebleed, vomiting of blood, blood in the urine, blood strangury, bloody stool, flooding, traumatic bleeding and abscesses. Cooling Blood without much stasis retention, it suits bleeding from Blood heat and blood strangury—not vacuity-cold bleeding or Spleen-Stomach vacuity cold.
How do you choose raw versus charred Xiao Ji? Can Da Ji replace it?
Raw material cools Blood and dissipates stasis; blood strangury and hematuria often use it. Charred material leans to astringing and stopping bleeding. Japanese thistle is stronger at dispersing abscess; it cannot replace field thistle for blood strangury by equal weight. Fresh poultice for trauma needs a separate instruction. Market thistle greens are not equal-weight pieces.
Learn More About Xiao Ji
Explore our in-depth article covering the traditional uses, properties, functions, and TCM context of Xiao Ji.
Read the Xiao Ji 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.
