Zephyranthes Candidus: Also known as: Jingfengcao, White Flower Garlic, Stone Onion, Conglan, Ganfengcao. 【Source】 It is a plant of the Amaryllidaceae family, belonging to the genus Zephyranthes.The entire herb of Conglan Zephyranthes candidus Herb.
【Morphological Characteristics】 Perennial herb. The bulb is oval, about 2.5 cm in diameter, with a distinct neck. Leaves are narrow and linear, thick, bright green, 20-30 cm long and 2-4 mm wide. The flower stalk is hollow; flowers are solitary at the top of the flower stalk, with a reddish-brown bract-like spathe below, and the spathe lobes are 2-lobed at the tip; the flower stalk is about 1 cm long; flowers are white, often with a light red exterior, with little to no floral tube; there are 6 tepals, 3-5 cm long, with small scales near the throat; there are 6 stamens, about 1/2 the length of the tepals; the style is slender, and the stigma is not obviously 3-lobed. The capsule is nearly spherical, about 1.2 cm in diameter, and splits into 3 valves; seeds are black and flat. 【Habitat and Distribution】 Cultivated in the southern regions of China. Originally from South America. 【Collection and Processing】 Can be harvested year-round, cleaned, and often used fresh. 【Properties】 Sweet, neutral. Toxic.
【Functions and Indications】 Calms the liver and extinguishes wind. Suitable for pediatric convulsions, epilepsy, and tetanus.
【Dosage and Administration】 9-12 g; or juice can be extracted for drinking. For external use: appropriate amount, crushed and applied.
【Precautions and Contraindications】 According to the “Fujian Materia Medica”: it has emetic effects and should not be used excessively to prevent poisoning.
【Common Prescriptions】
(1) For pediatric acute convulsions:
Fresh whole herb of Conglan (Gan Feng Cao) 9-12 g, decocted with water and mixed with rock candy for oral administration. Additionally, fresh whole herb 9-12 g, salt 3-6 g, crushed together, divided into 2 pills, applied to the temples (Taiyang points). Cover with gauze for fixation. According to “Fujian Traditional Chinese Medicine”.
(2) For treating pediatric epilepsy:
Fresh whole herb of Conglan (Gan Feng Cao) 9 g, decocted in water, mixed with rock candy for oral administration. According to “Fujian Traditional Chinese Medicine”.
Photographed on 2022-9-18 by the Qiantang River Four Bridges in Hangzhou
The following section is excerpted from the “Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine” concerning Gan Feng Cao (Conglan)
Gan Feng Cao: Also known as: Zephyranthes Candidus, Jingfengcao, White Flower Garlic. 【Origin】 The entire herb of Conglan from the Amaryllidaceae family. 【Original Plant】 Zephyranthes candidus (Lindl.) Herb. [Amaryllis candidus Lindl.] Perennial herb. The bulb is oval, about 2.5 cm in diameter, with a distinct neck. The leaves are narrow and linear, thick, bright green, 20-30 cm long and 2-4 mm wide. The flower stalk is hollow; flowers are solitary at the top of the flower stalk, with a reddish-brown bract-like spathe below, and the spathe lobes are 2-lobed at the tip; the flower stalk is about 1 cm long; flowers are white, often with a light red exterior, with little to no floral tube; there are 6 tepals, 3-5 cm long, with small scales near the throat; there are 6 stamens, about 1/2 the length of the tepals; the style is slender, and the stigma is not obviously 3-lobed. The flowering period is in autumn. It is cultivated in the southern regions of China. Originally from South America. 【Collection and Processing】 Harvested from July to October, mostly used fresh. 【Properties】 According to the “Fujian Materia Medica”: bitter, sweet, neutral, and toxic.
【Functions and Indications】 According to the “Fujian Materia Medica”: calms the liver, extinguishes wind, relieves spasms and pain. Indicated for pediatric convulsions, heat dysentery, epilepsy, and tetanus.
【Dosage and Administration】 Internal use: decocted soup, 3-4 plants; or juice can be extracted for drinking. External use: crushed and applied. 【Cautions】 According to the “Fujian Materia Medica”: it has emetic effects and should not be used excessively to prevent poisoning. 【Selected Formulas】
1. For pediatric acute convulsions:
Fresh whole herb of Conglan (Zephyranthes Candidus) 3-4 plants, decocted with water, mixed with rock candy for oral administration. Additionally, fresh whole herb 3-4 plants, salt 3-6 g, crushed together, divided into 2 pills, applied to the temples (Taiyang points), covered with gauze for fixation. According to “Fujian Traditional Chinese Medicine”.
2. For pediatric epilepsy:
Fresh whole herb of Conglan (Zephyranthes Candidus) 3 plants. Decocted with water, mixed with rock candy for oral administration. According to “Fujian Traditional Chinese Medicine”.
