Xi Xin ("Thin Spicy")
Xi Xin is Chinese Wild Ginger. Blue Poppy has an article on their website about Xi Xin being banned due to the Aristolochic Acid content in the upper part (that is not the roots) of the plant, yet Mayway appears to sell it in powdered form. Aristolochic Acid, also found in Guang Fang Ji (not Han Fang Ji), and Guan Mu Tong (not Chuan Mu Tong), is known to cause kidney failure. The plant must be tested and proven to be AA free in order to be sold in the U.S. Shipments of these herbs can be detained or delayed and therefore many U.S. distributors don't want to bother with them.
The other oddball thing about Xi Xin is that it floats around in the category department. Dennis placed it in the "Warm Herbs that Dissolve Cold Phlegm" category, while Hua Ling puts it in the Warm Herbs that Release the Exterior category -- which is where most people seem to place it.
Here's what Hua Ling says about Xi Xin:
It is warmer than most herbs in this category. It releases Wind-Cold, but more so for cold or cold phlegm, or cold phlegm fluid, obstructing the lung leading to cough. Xi Xin will warm the lung to transform the phlegm fluid to stop cough.
She said it is also an herb used to stop pain (an anesthesia herb), or for pain due to headaches and toothache. It is an important herb used to open the nasal passages (Xi Xin + Bai Zhi).
CI: use under 3 grams! and do not use with Li Lu.
Additional info...from Bensky and Dennis....
Xi Xin travels to the Lung, Kidney, Heart. According to some texts, it travels to all 12 channels.
It is "vigorous" and "very acrid" and therefore the low dose. Functions are:
1. Dispel wind, disperse cold, Relieve pain
headache (shaoyin headaches -- empty -- d/t Heart and Kidney disharmonies)
Wind-Damp-Cold Bi pain
2. Dispels exterior W-C
3. Warms Lung, Resolves Phlegm and Watery Mucus
4. Opens sensory orifices (nasal congestion)
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