Herba Asari,Asarum (Xi Xin) Extract Powder 10:1, 20:1, 50:1 TLC
【Other names】: Herba Asari, Manchurian Wildginger, root of Chinese wild ginger, Asari radix et rhizoma
【Botanical source】: Asarum heterotropoides Fr. Schmidt var. mandshuricum (Maxim.)Kitag, Asarum sieboldii Miq.var.seoulense Nakai, Asarum sieboldii Miq
【Part used】: Dry roots and rhizomes of Asarum heterotropoides Fr. Schmidt var. mandshuricum (Maxim.) Kitag, Asarum sieboldii Miq.var.seoulense Nakai, or Asarum sieboldii Miq in the Aristolochiaceae family. The first two customs are called ‘Liaoxixin’. During the summer fruit ripening period or early autumn, dig and remove the above ground parts and sediment, and dry in the shade.
【Specification】: 10:1, 20:1, 50:1 TLC
【Appearance】: Brownish yellow fine powder
【Particle size】: 95% pass 80 mesh size

Herba Asari,Asarum (Xi Xin) Extract Powder Production Flowchart
Asarum (Xi Xin) raw materials – natural air drying–Coarse powder(40 mesh) -Low temperature water extraction – 1^st Reflux Extraction(10 times water,2 Hrs) – 2^nd Reflux Extraction8 times water,1.5 Hrs) – 3rd Reflux Extraction(6 times water,1 Hrs) – Extraction Solution-combine&Filtrate-Concentrate-Extractum-spray drying – screening – packaging – detection of physical and chemical indicators – warehousing

Specification Sheet of Herba Asari,Asarum (Xi Xin) Extract Powder

Extended Reading
Herba Asari,Asarum (Xi Xin) Function and Efficacy Recorded in TCM
Xixin is a very important and distinctive medicinal herb in traditional Chinese medicine, known as the “most pungent and fragrant”. But it is also a “toxic” medicinal herb, so it needs to be used with extra caution. The following are the main functions, applications, and precautions of Asarum in traditional Chinese medicine:

The core functions of Xixin can be summarized as: dispelling cold, relieving pain, unblocking orifices, and warming the lungs. Its medicinal properties are pungent and warm. Heart, lung, and kidney meridians.

1.Relieve wind and cold, relieve pain (especially for severe pain caused by cold dampness and wind cooling)
Mechanism: The Xin Wen nature of Xixin is very intense, which can strongly dispel cold pathogens that penetrate deep into the muscles, bones, and organs. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that “if there is no way, it will cause pain”. Cold pathogenic stagnation of qi and blood can lead to severe pain, and Xixin achieves pain relief by dispersing cold.

Application:
Headache: It has a significant effect on headaches caused by wind and cold, especially migraines and apical pain that affect the teeth and cheeks. Often used in combination with Chuanxiong, Baizhi, and other herbs.
Toothache: It has an immediate effect on toothache caused by wind cooling, cold pathogenic factors, or stomach fire, especially tooth decay pain. Regularly use it alone or in combination with Bai Zhi decoction to rinse the mouth.
Rheumatic rheumatism and rheumatism: For wind cold dampness and rheumatism (such as arthritis), especially for severe pain and aggravated symptoms when exposed to cold, Xixin can dispel wind and dispel cold, promote rheumatism and relieve pain. Often combined with Duhuo, Fangfeng, Guizhi, etc.

2. Smooth the nasal opening and treat nasal sinusitis
Mechanism: The pungent aroma of Asarum spreads and rises to the head and face, which can promote the nasal opening.

Application:
It is mainly used for nasal congestion, runny nose, and decreased sense of smell caused by wind cold or prolonged stagnation of cold pathogenic heat, which is referred to as “nasosinusitis” in traditional Chinese medicine (similar to rhinitis and sinusitis in modern medicine).

It is often used together with medicines such as Bai Zhi, Cang Er Zi, and Xin Yi that promote the development of the body.

3. Warm the lungs and drink, stop coughing and wheezing
Mechanism: Asarum can warm and dissipate the pathogenic cold in the lung, and resolve the “water drinks” (thin phlegm drinks in the shape of foam) that stop gathering in the lung.

Application:
Used for coughing and wheezing caused by external coldness and internal drinking, with excessive phlegm, white color, and sparse, often accompanied by symptoms such as fear of cold and fever.

This is a classic usage of Xixin, often combined with dried ginger and Schisandra chinensis to form famous prescription combinations (such as Xiaoqinglong Tang). Dried ginger enhances the power of warming and cooling drinks, while Schisandra chinensis converges lung qi to prevent excessive pungent and dispersing of Asarum, which consumes qi.

4. As an aid, guide various drugs directly to the lesion
Xixin has a strong “wandering” property and is often used as a “medicinal guide” in prescriptions, guiding the medicinal power of other drugs to reach deeper parts of the body (such as muscles, bones, and kidneys), thereby improving overall efficacy.

Modern Pharmacological Effects of Herba Asari,Asarum (Xi Xin)

1. Analgesic and antispasmodic effects
Mechanism: The volatile oils of Asarum (mainly methyl eugenol, linalool, etc.) have a significant inhibitory effect on the central nervous system, especially the brain and thalamus, which can increase the pain threshold and achieve potent analgesic effects. This corresponds to the traditional Chinese medicine concept of “dispelling cold and relieving pain”.

Application: Explained why it is effective for headaches, toothache, neuralgia, and joint pain.

2. Anti inflammatory and anti immune effects

Mechanism:
Asarum can inhibit the release and synthesis of inflammatory mediators such as histamine, prostaglandins, serotonin, etc.
It can reduce capillary permeability, inhibit granulation tissue proliferation, and thereby alleviate inflammatory reactions.
Both its water and ethanol extracts exhibit strong anti-inflammatory activity.

Application: This provides modern scientific evidence for its treatment of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and rhinitis.

3. Local anesthesia effect
Mechanism: The volatile oil of Asarum (especially 50% decoction) has a reversible blocking effect on mucous membranes and nerve endings infiltrated by injection, even stronger than procaine.

Application: This directly explains its traditional use for mouthwash treatment of toothache and topical pain relief.

4. Respiratory system function
Cough suppression: Asarum has a direct inhibitory effect on the cough center.

Expectorant: Methyl eugenol in its volatile oil can relax bronchial smooth muscle and reduce sputum secretion.

Spasmodic: Can relieve bronchial spasms.

Application: These effects collectively confirm the efficacy of “warming the lungs and promoting diuresis” in treating cough, wheezing, and excessive phlegm.

5. Cardiovascular system function
Heart strengthening: Asarum can enhance myocardial contractility, increase cardiac output, and act similarly to beta adrenergic receptor agonists.

Expanding blood vessels and lowering blood pressure: Its volatile oil can cause blood vessels to dilate, leading to a decrease in blood pressure.

Anticardiogenic shock: Studies have shown that Asarum has potential value in treating cardiogenic shock.

Application: This provides a partial explanation for the use of Xixin in some traditional Chinese medicine treatments for critically ill patients with “weak pulse and excessive desire” (such as the partial application of Shenfu Tang and Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Tang).