Zi Cao Root & Zi Cao Rong (Lithospermum erythrorhizon / Arnebia euchroma) — Dried Chinese Herb, Xinjiang Soft Purple Herb

Zi Cao (紫草), known in English as Chinese Gromwell Root or Purple Herb, is the dried root and rhizome of Lithospermum erythrorhizon and related Arnebia species, with Xinjiang soft purple herb (新疆软紫草, Arnebia euchroma) being a highly regarded regional variety. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Zi Cao has been prized for centuries as a cooling, blood-cooling, and toxin-clearing herb traditionally used to relieve heat in the blood, soothe the skin, and support tissue recovery. Its nature is sweet and cold, entering the Heart and Liver channels, making it a classic herb for clearing heat and cooling the blood. This listing offers dried Zi Cao root, Zi Cao Rong (紫草茸, the resinous surface material), and Zi Cao powder forms, naturally sun-dried and sourced from broad production areas including Xinjiang.

Key Selling Points

• Traditional blood-cooling and heat-clearing herb
• Available as root, Zi Cao Rong, and powder
• Xinjiang soft purple herb variety
• Naturally sun-dried, no artificial processing
• Food agricultural product, 500g net weight

Quality & Sensory

Zi Cao root presents a deep reddish-purple to dark violet color, with a firm, fibrous texture and a faint earthy, slightly resinous aroma. Zi Cao Rong appears as a darker, denser resinous material with a rich purple-black hue. When decocted, the herb releases a deep purple-red infusion with a mild, earthy, slightly bitter taste. The powder form is fine and evenly milled, retaining the characteristic purple color and earthy scent.

Technical Specifications

Usage Scenarios

• Traditional herbal decoctions and infusions
• Herbal oil and salve preparation
• Skin-soothing herbal washes
• Herbal tea blends for heat-clearing
• Traditional topical herbal applications

Traditional Uses

In folk herbal practice, Zi Cao is decocted into soups and teas, and is a common ingredient in traditional formulas for cooling the blood and clearing heat. It is also widely used in external preparations such as herbal oils, salves, and washes, where it is simmered in oil or water to extract its purple pigments. In daily life, it appears in herbal skincare traditions, seasonal heat-clearing teas, and traditional topical remedies for minor skin discomfort.

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