Natural Herb Library

Rhizome of Common Curculigo

Chinese
仙茅
Pinyin
Xian Mao
Latin
Rhizoma Curculiginis
Botanical illustration of Rhizome of Common Curculigo, Curculigo orchioides, showing dark medicinal rhizome material and diagnostic source details.
Botanical plate by Kodi .

Known in TCM as Xian Mao (仙茅), this acrid, hot herb enters the Kidney and Liver. Traditionally, it warms Kidney yang and strengthens the lower back and knees ... Xian Mao is a hot yang tonic for weakness, cold limbs, impotence, and lower-body debility, most often applied for kidney yang deficiency, impotence, and low back pain. Modern research has identified Curculigoside among its active constituents.

Part used: Rhizome

Also Known As

Curculigo Rhizome Curculigo orchioides Rhizome Xian Mao

Latin: Rhizoma Curculiginis | Pinyin: Xian Mao | Chinese: 仙茅

TCM Properties

Taste
acrid
Temperature
hot
Channels
Kidney, Liver

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Warms Kidney yang and strengthens the lower back and knees ... Xian Mao is a hot yang tonic for weakness, cold limbs, impotence, and lower-body debility.
  • Dispels cold-damp and relieves painful obstruction ... it is used when chronic joint pain, numbness, or weakness is aggravated by cold and dampness.
  • Supports sinews and bones ... traditional use extends to frailty, lumbar soreness, and reduced physical vigor in Kidney-yang deficiency patterns.

Secondary Actions

  • Xian Mao is hotter and more drying than gentler Kidney tonics, which is why it is often balanced with cooling or yin-protecting herbs in formula practice.
  • The famous `Er Xian Tang` pairing with Yin Yang Huo and Zhi Mu illustrates that even a strong yang tonic may need built-in balance.

Classic Formulas

  • Er Xian Tang ... canonical formula where Xian Mao warms Kidney yang while companion herbs prevent excessive drying or flaring.
  • Kidney-yang and cold-bi combinations with Ba Ji Tian or Du Zhong ... traditional strategy when weakness and painful obstruction coexist.
  • Lower-burner warming formulas ... used for cold-dominant impotence and exhaustion rather than for generic fatigue.

Classical References

  • Traditional herb texts describe Xian Mao as acrid, hot, and mildly toxic, entering the Kidney and Liver to warm yang and dispel cold-damp.
  • Its reputation comes from heat and force rather than gentleness, which explains its tighter contraindication profile.

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Curculigoside ... the best-known signature constituent of Curculigo orchioides
  • Phenolic glycosides and norlignans ... important antioxidant and bone-metabolism research compounds
  • Saponins and related tonic fractions ... supportive constituents in endocrine and anti-osteoporotic literature

Studied Effects

  • A 2013 review summarized the traditional uses, phytochemistry, and ethnopharmacology of the genus Curculigo, with Curculigo orchioides central to the medicinal picture that supports Xian Mao's modern relevance (PMID 23562803).
  • A 2010 review described Curculigo orchioides as a traditionally valued plant with broad antioxidant, aphrodisiac, immunologic, and tissue-protective research interest (PMID 20619136).
  • More recent curculigoside-focused review literature continues to deepen the central-nervous-system and anti-aging research around Xian Mao-family constituents, but most evidence remains preclinical.

PubMed References

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

  • Yin deficiency with heat
  • Pregnancy
  • Dryness, irritability, or bleeding aggravated by hot yang tonics

Cautions

  • Xian Mao is hot and mildly toxic and should not be treated as a casual libido or energy booster.
  • Its drying force can aggravate dizziness, thirst, constipation, or irritability in people without clear cold-yang deficiency.

Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Rhizome of Common Curculigo used for?

Rhizome of Common Curculigo is traditionally used to Warms Kidney yang and strengthens the lower back and knees ... Xian Mao is a hot yang tonic for weakness, cold limbs, impotence, and lower-body debility., Dispels cold-damp and relieves painful obstruction ... it is used when chronic joint pain, numbness, or weakness is aggravated by cold and dampness., Supports sinews and bones ... traditional use extends to frailty, lumbar soreness, and reduced physical vigor in Kidney-yang deficiency patterns.. Research has investigated its effects on: A 2013 review summarized the traditional uses, phytochemistry, and ethnopharmacology of the genus Curculigo, with Curculigo orchioides central to the medicinal picture that supports Xian Mao's modern relevance (PMID 23562803).; A 2010 review described Curculigo orchioides as a traditionally valued plant with broad antioxidant, aphrodisiac, immunologic, and tissue-protective research interest (PMID 20619136)..

What are other names for Rhizome of Common Curculigo?

Rhizome of Common Curculigo is also known as Curculigo Rhizome, Curculigo orchioides Rhizome, Xian Mao. In TCM: 仙茅 (Xian Mao); Rhizoma Curculiginis.

Is Rhizome of Common Curculigo safe during pregnancy?

Rhizome of Common Curculigo is not recommended during pregnancy.

What are the contraindications for Rhizome of Common Curculigo?

Rhizome of Common Curculigo should not be used in: Yin deficiency with heat; Pregnancy; Dryness, irritability, or bleeding aggravated by hot yang tonics. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.