A perennial herb. Stems yellow, thin, ca. 1 mm in diam. Inflorescences lateral, compact cymose glomerules, few to many flowered, subsessile; bracts and bracteoles scalelike. Pedicel ca. 1 mm. Calyx cupular; sepals triangular, ca. 1.5 mm, apex obtuse, partly thickened. Corolla white, urceolate, ca. 3 mm; lobes persistent triangular-ovate, apex acute or obtuse, reflexed. Stamens inserted at throat; scales oblong, reaching stamens, long fimbriate. Ovary subglobose. Styles 2, equal or unequal in length; stigma globose. Capsule enclosed by withered corolla, globose, ca. 3 mm in diam., circumscissile. Seeds 2-4, pale brown, ovoid, ca. 1 mm, scabrous.

Aphrodisiac, demulcent, diaphoretic, hepatic and tonic (seed)

Plants For A Future
Flora of China

A lotion made from the stems is used in the treatment of sore heads and inflamed eyes. The seeds are decocted and used with other herbs to treat a variety of ailments. In particular, it is used in the treatment of impotence, nocturnal emissions, vertigo, lumbago, leucorrhoea, frequent micturation, decreased eyesight, threatened abortion and chronic diarrhoea.

Contraindicated in patients with excess fire due to Yin deficiency and with constipation.

Jing-Nuan Wu. An Illustrated Chinese Materia Medica. P: 236, Oxford University Press, Inc.2005.