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
- Overview
- Properties
- Actions and indications
- Dosage
- Cautions and incompatibilities
- Key formulas
- 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
| Pinyin name | Xiao Ji |
|---|---|
| Chinese characters | 小蓟 |
| Latin name | Cirsium setosum |
| English name | Small Thistle |
| Nature | Cool |
| Flavour | Sweet |
| Channels entered | Heart, Liver |
| Category | Stop Bleeding |
3. Actions and indications
Principal actions
- Cools Blood and stops bleeding
- Clears Damp-Heat from the lower burner
- Resolves toxicity (external use)
Indications
- Haematuria (blood in urine) from Damp-Heat
- Urinary tract infection with bleeding
- Nose bleed from Blood-Heat
- Skin toxicity (external)
4. Dosage
9–15g
5. Cautions and incompatibilities
- Contraindicated in Spleen-Cold
- Reduce in cold-type bleeding
6. Key formulas
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.
