Xian Ren Zhang
Unknown
☯ TCM Properties
Promotes the movement of Qi, invigorates the Blood, clears Heat, eliminates toxins and stops bleeding
Western Herbalism Properties
Botanical Description
Xian Ren Zhang refers to prickly pear cactus, principally Opuntia dillenii (Ker Gawl.) Haw. and related Opuntia species (Cactaceae). It is a perennial succulent shrub forming clumps 1-3 m tall, with flattened, obovate to oblong green cladodes (pads) 10-40 cm long bearing clusters of areoles armed with stout spines and minute barbed glochids. The yellow to orange funnelform flowers, 5-8 cm across, appear along the upper margins of the pads in spring and summer, opening only briefly. Fruits are fleshy, obovoid berries 4-7 cm long, turning purplish-red at maturity and filled with pulpy juice and hard seeds. Native to the Americas, Opuntia is widely naturalized in southern China where the cladodes, flowers, and fruits are used medicinally.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | Daily | — | — | — |
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.