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Herb Gallery

Cang Er Zi (Xanthium sibiricum)

  • Botanical name: Xanthium sibiricum
  • Common name: Xanthium fruit, Cockelburr fruit
  • Literal name translation: deep green ear seeds
  • Family: Asteraceae, aster family
  • Part used in Chinese medicine: fruit
  • Major Chinese medicine actions:
  • Disperses wind and dampness, open nasal passages,
    releases exterior, removes painful bi obstruction
Xanthium sibiricum
Xanthium sibiricum

Photo Credits: (top to bottom)
Photo 1: Xanthium sibiricum; 11/2006; author Shizhao; permission under GFDL
Photo 2: Xanthium sibiricum; author unknown wikipedia.org; permission under GFDL