Xiao Ji (小蓟) — Small Thistle

Xiao Ji is the specific Chinese herb for haematuria — blood in the urine from Damp-Heat — and is the chief herb in Xiao Ji Yin Zi. Its cool nature and sweet flavour make it gentle enough for prolonged use in urinary bleeding conditions.

On this page

1. Overview
2. Properties
3. Actions and indications
4. Dosage
5. Cautions and incompatibilities
6. Key formulas
7. Treatment at my clinic

1. Overview

Xiao Ji (小蓟) — Small Thistle (Cirsium setosum) — is a Chinese herb in the Stop Bleeding category. I prescribe it as part of bespoke pharmaceutical-grade granule formulas from Sun Ten in Taiwan at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire and via online herbal consultations.

2. Properties

3. Actions and indications

Principal actions

1. Cools Blood and stops bleeding
2. Clears Damp-Heat from the lower burner
3. Resolves toxicity (external use)

Indications

1. Haematuria (blood in urine) from Damp-Heat
2. Urinary tract infection with bleeding
3. Nose bleed from Blood-Heat
4. Skin toxicity (external)

4. Dosage

9–15g

5. Cautions and incompatibilities

1. Contraindicated in Spleen-Cold
2. Reduce in cold-type bleeding

6. Key formulas

• Xiao Ji Yin Zi

7. Treatment at my clinic

I prescribe Xiao Ji where its indications and TCM pattern match the patient’s presentation, always as part of a tailored formula. Return to the Chinese herbs directory or the Chinese herbal medicine main page.

How long until xiao ji improves with TCM treatment?

Most patients with xiao ji notice meaningful improvement within 4–6 weeks of weekly acupuncture combined with Chinese herbal medicine as a complementary therapy alongside conventional care. Substantial improvement typically develops over 8–12 weeks. Always consult your doctor for any new or persistent symptoms; TCM treatment runs alongside, not instead of, your conventional medical care.