Yi Zhi Huang Hua AKA Sticky Vegetable, Broken Leaf [Yunnan], Golden Chai Hu [Southwest], Mountain Thick Hop, Tiger's Urine Source This product is a plant of the genus Yi Zhi Huang Hua, family Asteraceae, Solidago decurrens Lour.[S. virgaurea L var. leiocarpa (Benth.) A. Gray]. The roots and the whole herb are used as medicine. Harvested in fall and winter. Preparation Wash, dry, chop and use. Characteristics Perennial herb, with thick and short rhizome, roots many, thin and curved, light brown. Stem erect, simple. Leaves alternate, simple, ovate or narrowly ovate, apex slightly pointed, base cuneate or broadly cuneate, margin shallowly serrate and lashed, green above, light green below, both surfaces glabrous or slightly hairy at veins. Autumn to early spring flowering, heads arranged in narrow long panicles, involucre campanulate, bracts in 3 rows, colorless membranous, with a narrow green strip in the center, membranous bracteoles below the involucre; flowers yellow, ligulate flowers female, tubular flowers bisexual, achenes glabrous in all, very few sparsely hairy at the achene tip. Sexual flavors and attributes Pungent, bitter, flat. Functions and Indications Clearing heat and removing toxins, subduing swelling and removing pain. Used for upper respiratory tract infections, tonsillitis, sore throat, bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, coughing up blood, acute and chronic nephritis, pediatric chancre; external treatment of bruises, snake bites, sores, swelling and poisoning, mastitis. Usage and dosage 0.3 to 1 tael, decoction. Apply externally by pounding the fresh product on the affected area or applying the thick juice of the decoction externally. Caution: Not to be taken by pregnant women. Remarks (1) For goose paws, gray toenails, tinea pedis and other diseases, decoction can be used to soak and wash the affected area.