Hemerocallis, Xuan Cao 萱草 Day LilyLilium AgresteXuan Cao (TCM) HemerocallisNew Kreüterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563 Two varieties of Hemerocallis(Herbarium, Matthioli (Polish), 1596) Hemerocallis fulvaBonelli, G., Hortus Romanus juxta Systema Tournefortianum (1772-1793) Hemerocallis fulva(Photo b y George Chernilevsky) (Wikimedia) Botanical name: Hemerocallis spp. H. fulva H. minor H. lilio-asphodelus H. citrina is used very similarly. Parts used: Root and Rhizome Temperature & Taste: Cool, dry. Uses: Clears Heat and Toxin, Resolves Swelling: Scrofula, Lymphatic SwellingMastitis, Breast Abscess (internally and topically) Clears Heat and Damp: Edema, Strangury, DysuriaUrinary StonesLeukorrheaJaundice Calms the Mind: Nervousness, Anxiety, Insomniatraditionally to ‘forget Melancholy’Depressionflower always has this effect Cool the Blood, Stops Bleeding: Epistaxis, HemoptysisExcess Menstrual Bleeding and Spotting Kills Worms and Parasites: Schistosomiasis Externally: ToothacheToxic Sores and Swellingsapplied to swollen breast (leaf or root paste) (since Dioscorides)Inflammation of the eyesBurns and Scalds (Dioscorides)as a pessary to promote menstruation Dose: The root juice was traditionally pressed with wine and the liquid takenDecoction: 3–9 gramsPowder: 1–3 gramsThe root or leaf can be crushed for topical application. Substitute: ‘Virtues … are said to be the same with our common Asphodel’. (Salmon) Of the Flower: ‘Their medicinal effects are understood to be the same as those of the Lilium candidum‘. (Porter Smith, 1871)…

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