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The dried ripe fruit with involucre of Xanthium sibiricum (Asteraceae). Warm, pungent and bitter, slightly toxic, entering the Lung channel. Best known for opening the nasal passages, it is a key herb for nasal congestion and sinusitis, commonly paired with Xin Yi (magnolia flower).
Reference range for non-pregnant adults. Not a personalized prescription. Pregnancy, lactation, and pediatric use require specialist supervision.
Protective guidance only — when to avoid or use with caution. This block deliberately omits pregnancy, lactation, and pediatric dosing: any such use must be managed by a qualified TCM practitioner or appropriate specialist.
（枲耳实）味甘，温。主风头寒痛，风湿周痹，四肢拘挛痛，恶肉死肌。久服益气，耳目聪明，强志轻身。
中品
@misc{bencaodian-cang-er-zi,
author = {{Bencaodian Editorial}},
title = {Cāng Ěr Zǐ 苍耳子 (Xanthium Fruit) — Xanthii Fructus},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {Bencao Dian: A Bilingual Knowledge Graph of Traditional Chinese Medicine},
url = {https://bencaodian.org/en/herbs/cang-er-zi},
urldate = {2026-04-17},
note = {CC BY-SA 4.0}
}© Bencaodian Editorial · Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
苍耳子含苍术苷等毒性二萜苷及苍耳子苷类倍半萜内酯，具抗炎、抗过敏作用，但过量或生用可致严重肝毒性。
Cang Er Zi contains toxic kaurane diterpene glycosides (atractyloside/carboxyatractyloside) and xanthanolide sesquiterpenes with anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic activity, but raw or overdose use can cause severe hepatotoxicity.
苍耳子辛苦温有毒，散风通鼻窍，除湿止痒；过量可致肝肾损伤，需炒制去刺。
Acrid-bitter and warm with toxicity; dispels wind, opens the nasal passages, dries damp, and stops itching; overdose causes hepato-renal toxicity; must be dry-fried to remove spines.
《中国药典》规定入药用炒苍耳子，并设有毒性限量。
Chinese Pharmacopoeia specifies use of dry-fried Cang Er Zi with toxicity limits.
This section is provided for academic reference only and does not constitute medical advice.