Cang Er Zi – Xanthium Fruit – Fructus Xanthii

Cang Er Zi

English Name: xanthium fruit (sibiricum)

Pharmaceutical name: Fructus Xanthii

Medica Category: Wind-Cold Releasing Herbs

Properties: Cang Er Zi enters the Lung and Liver channels; is bitter and acrid in nature and warm in temperature.

What is Cang Er Zi?:

The Chinese Herb Cang Er Zi is the mature fruit of the Siberian Cocklebur. The Chinese Herb is dry-fried until the thorns become blunted and are then ground into powder or decocted for use as medicine.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Therapeutic Actions of Cang Er Zi:

Cang Er Zi opens nasal passages and relieves pain—it is a main ingredient in formulas that treat allergic rhinitis and sinus colds/infections (e.g. Bi Yan Pian and Pe Min Kan Wan).