Kochia has a number of different common names, such as Belvedere, Mexican fireweed, Broom Cyprus, Mock cypress, and Summer Cypress. In TCM it means Kochia scoparia (L.) Schrad, a grass in Chenopodiaceae or Goosefoot Family. And its main medicinal part is the dried ripe fruits, which are usually harvested in autumn when they are ripe. Before the uses, fruits need to be dried in the sun and the impurities removed. In China, this plant, wild or cultivated, distributes mainly in Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Hebei, Shandong, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Henan, Anhui, Jiangsu, Gansu and other places.

Its plant is one of annual bushes, about 50 to 150cm in height. Stems are erect, branched, green or red in autumn, and with young branches with white pubescence. Leaves are alternate, sessile, narrowly lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, 1 to 7cm, 1 to 7mm wide, with acuminate apex, cuneate base, entire margin, green glabrous top surface, pale green lower surface with or without pubescence. Small yellow-green flowers, one or several, are axillary and form into spikes. Utricle is oblate, with persistent perianth on base and 1 black oblate seed. It blooms from July to September and fruits from August to October.

MODERN PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIONS
1. Antifungal effect. Kochia water extract, in the ratio of 1:3, in vitro has varying degrees of inhibition to a variety of dermatophytes such as Trichophyton schoenleinii, nocardia asteroids, and so on.

2. Diuretic effect. Rabbits received Kochia decoction (2 g/kg) by intragastric administration showed that chloride in the urine increased by 127.1% to 131.6% within 6 hours, but the total amount of urine remained unchanged. And it was reported that this herb affected both urine volume and urinary sodium excretion in rats.

Kochia Scoparia

PROVEN KOCHIA RELATED HERBAL FORMULAS 
In accordance with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Kochia herb is viewed as acrid, bitter, and cold in properties. And it covers kidney and bladder meridians. Its main functions are clearing heat and promoting diuresis and dispelling wind and arresting itching. And Kochia scoparia uses include difficult urination, stranguria with turbid discharge, gynaecological diseases, bloody flux, rubella, Eczema, scabies, Pruritus, sores, and so on. Recommended dosage is from 6 to 15 grams. As for external use, take appropriate amount to decoct for fuming and washing.

1) Di Fu Zi Tang
This formula comes from Ji sheng fang (Formulas to Aid the Living). It is mainly formulated for stranguria. Other major herbal ingredients include Mu Tong (Akebia Caulis), Qu Mai (Dianthus), Dong Kui Zi (Musk Mallow Seeds), and so on.

2) Xuan Yang Tang
This formula is from Yi Xue Zhong Zhong Can Xi Lu (Records of Heart-Felt Experiences in Medicine with Reference to the West). It is primarily designed for difficult urination due to lack of Yang Qi. Other key herbs are Wei Ling Xian (Clematis Root), Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber), and more.

3) Ji Yin Tang
This prescription is from Records of Heart-Felt Experiences in Medicine with Reference to the West. It is basically used for difficult urination due to deficiency of Yin and blood depletion. The rest of herbs are Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia), Gui Ban (Fresh Water Turtle Shell), and Hang Bai Shao (Hangzhou White Peony Root).