Common Selfheal Spike

Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Jiangsu, Anhui, Henan.

Rod-like shape, slightly flat, 1.5~8cm long, 0.8~1.5cm diameter, pale brown to brownish-red. Whole fruit spike formed by numerous whorls of calyxes and buds, each has 2 opposing bracts; fan-shaped, apex is pointed tail-like, distinct vein striations, externally covered white hairs. Every bract has 3 flowers inside, corolla has often fallen off, persistent calyx is 2-liped, 4 small nuts inside, oval, and brown, pointed end has white raised up. Light and brittle texture, slightly clear aromatic odor, tasteless.

Superior medicinal material is purplish-brown, with large fruit spike.

Acrid, bitter, cold

Clears fire, brightens eye, disperses binds, eliminates swelling. Apply to pain in the eyeball, headache, scrofula, gall, mammary abscess swelling pain.